How to Define Health
Health is a complex phenomenon that can be defined in many ways. Some people define health as a physical state, while others focus on mental well-being. Still others consider a combination of all of these factors. Whatever definition you choose, you must make sure that it includes both a positive and negative component. A person who is healthy is likely to enjoy all aspects of life and live a balanced lifestyle.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of “complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This statement is often cited as a guiding principle for health policy and practices around the world.
This definition is not without its shortcomings. It focuses on an individual’s ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social challenges. This is a useful concept, but it fails to take into account the fact that there are a variety of other factors that can contribute to a person’s health and wellbeing.
It is important to recognise that both the good and bad effects of health are interconnected. For example, a person who has high levels of physical fitness may suffer from mental illness as a result of the stress of daily life or the pressure to perform in their job. Similarly, an individual who is overweight might be suffering from poor mental health. A person can also be healthy while battling an illness such as an allergy or cancer.
Attempts to define the concept of health have a long history and have been influenced by the needs of different times, places and individuals. During the 20th century, there was a growing recognition that health is more than just an absence of disease. This led to the development of a new model known as the biopsychosocial approach.
While this model acknowledges that biological, psychological and social aspects of health are interrelated, it does not replace the earlier medical model of health. In fact, the two models work together.
The WHO Framework on the Determinants of Health (external link opens in a new window) defines the determinants of health as ‘upstream risk factors that are further away in the causal chain from health outcomes, such as education; employment; income; housing; family circumstances and early childhood; and the natural and built environment and culture’. These determinants are referred to as social determinants of health and influence the health outcomes of individuals and of nations.
Unlike disease, which is a recognizable and often tangible entity, health is a much more difficult concept to define. Despite its elusiveness, it is important for health professionals to understand the concept of health in order to promote healthy living and prevent disease. By doing so, they will be able to improve the quality of life of their patients. This will ultimately lead to healthier, happier populations. This will, in turn, have a significant impact on society as a whole.
Health is a complex phenomenon that can be defined in many ways. Some people define health as a physical state, while others focus on mental well-being. Still others consider a combination of all of these factors. Whatever definition you choose, you must make sure that it includes both a positive and negative component. A person who is healthy is likely to enjoy all aspects of life and live a balanced lifestyle. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of “complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This statement is often cited as a guiding principle for health policy and practices around the world. This definition is not without its shortcomings. It focuses on an individual’s ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social challenges. This is a useful concept, but it fails to take into account the fact that there are a variety of other factors that can contribute to a person’s health and wellbeing. It is important to recognise that both the good and bad effects of health are interconnected. For example, a person who has high levels of physical fitness may suffer from mental illness as a result of the stress of daily life or the pressure to perform in their job. Similarly, an individual who is overweight might be suffering from poor mental health. A person can also be healthy while battling an illness such as an allergy or cancer. Attempts to define the concept of health have a long history and have been influenced by the needs of different times, places and individuals. During the 20th century, there was a growing recognition that health is more than just an absence of disease. This led to the development of a new model known as the biopsychosocial approach. While this model acknowledges that biological, psychological and social aspects of health are interrelated, it does not replace the earlier medical model of health. In fact, the two models work together. The WHO Framework on the Determinants of Health (external link opens in a new window) defines the determinants of health as ‘upstream risk factors that are further away in the causal chain from health outcomes, such as education; employment; income; housing; family circumstances and early childhood; and the natural and built environment and culture’. These determinants are referred to as social determinants of health and influence the health outcomes of individuals and of nations. Unlike disease, which is a recognizable and often tangible entity, health is a much more difficult concept to define. Despite its elusiveness, it is important for health professionals to understand the concept of health in order to promote healthy living and prevent disease. By doing so, they will be able to improve the quality of life of their patients. This will ultimately lead to healthier, happier populations. This will, in turn, have a significant impact on society as a whole.