The New Definition of Health
Everyone uses the word “health” every day, whether it is to describe a feeling of well-being or the state of being free from disease. We also use the term to refer to a state of being physically fit, emotionally balanced and socially connected. The term can be used to describe an individual, a community or even a country. Regardless of definition, we all agree that it is essential to happiness and a sense of well-being.
When it comes to health, the prevailing view is that a person’s health is determined solely by the availability of medical care and the quality of that care. This approach to health has its roots in the 1930s and 1940s, when the US developed a centralized medical system based on a biomedical model. This included well-baby clinics and a national investment in scientific research and hospitals. It also resulted in policies that prioritized addressing the economic and social causes of health problems, such as poverty and geographic barriers to health care.
Despite the importance of providing healthcare, the limitations of this approach to health are evident when we consider that the vast majority of factors that affect health lie outside the scope of conventional medical and public health systems. For example, a person’s ability to access healthy food, exercise and clean air is affected by societal forces, such as the availability of affordable housing and transportation.
In this context, a new definition of health has emerged. Inspired by Canguilhem, this definition emphasizes that “health is a dynamic state of human beings characterized by a full range of functional capabilities that enable individuals to achieve their own personal well-being independent of their material circumstances” (Canguilhem, 1948). This definition of health expands earlier conceptualizations by highlighting both mental and physical health.
This definition is particularly important at a time when the pandemic of COVID-19 evidences the global interconnectedness of health and the need to focus on adaptation rather than simply the absence of disease or infirmity. The definition defines health as a dynamic continuum across the life span, a state of well-being defined by balance and resilience in adapting to changing circumstances.
A healthy person can be a competitive swimmer with Down syndrome, or a high school teacher with bipolar disorder. Their experiences and goals are different, but their health is the same: a disconnect from limitations and a capacity to engage with purpose in their lives.
Writing about health is a challenging and demanding task, both for journalists and readers. It requires an honesty of spirit and the skill to find nuance in every topic, separate fact from myth and legitimate findings from consensus views and outright misinformation. It is a responsibility that can have grave consequences: cheerleading for a flawed drug or questionable therapy, failing to mention side effects, or citing a whacky expert without sufficient background can kill people. Fortunately, there are ways to help improve the integrity and reliability of health journalism in both new and legacy media.
Everyone uses the word “health” every day, whether it is to describe a feeling of well-being or the state of being free from disease. We also use the term to refer to a state of being physically fit, emotionally balanced and socially connected. The term can be used to describe an individual, a community or even a country. Regardless of definition, we all agree that it is essential to happiness and a sense of well-being. When it comes to health, the prevailing view is that a person’s health is determined solely by the availability of medical care and the quality of that care. This approach to health has its roots in the 1930s and 1940s, when the US developed a centralized medical system based on a biomedical model. This included well-baby clinics and a national investment in scientific research and hospitals. It also resulted in policies that prioritized addressing the economic and social causes of health problems, such as poverty and geographic barriers to health care. Despite the importance of providing healthcare, the limitations of this approach to health are evident when we consider that the vast majority of factors that affect health lie outside the scope of conventional medical and public health systems. For example, a person’s ability to access healthy food, exercise and clean air is affected by societal forces, such as the availability of affordable housing and transportation. In this context, a new definition of health has emerged. Inspired by Canguilhem, this definition emphasizes that “health is a dynamic state of human beings characterized by a full range of functional capabilities that enable individuals to achieve their own personal well-being independent of their material circumstances” (Canguilhem, 1948). This definition of health expands earlier conceptualizations by highlighting both mental and physical health. This definition is particularly important at a time when the pandemic of COVID-19 evidences the global interconnectedness of health and the need to focus on adaptation rather than simply the absence of disease or infirmity. The definition defines health as a dynamic continuum across the life span, a state of well-being defined by balance and resilience in adapting to changing circumstances. A healthy person can be a competitive swimmer with Down syndrome, or a high school teacher with bipolar disorder. Their experiences and goals are different, but their health is the same: a disconnect from limitations and a capacity to engage with purpose in their lives. Writing about health is a challenging and demanding task, both for journalists and readers. It requires an honesty of spirit and the skill to find nuance in every topic, separate fact from myth and legitimate findings from consensus views and outright misinformation. It is a responsibility that can have grave consequences: cheerleading for a flawed drug or questionable therapy, failing to mention side effects, or citing a whacky expert without sufficient background can kill people. Fortunately, there are ways to help improve the integrity and reliability of health journalism in both new and legacy media.