The Concept of Health in 2021
When most people think about health, they imagine a state of well-being in which they feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually at ease. They may also think about their ability to perform work and engage in family, community, and other activities. People can’t always control how they feel or what illnesses they get, but they can take steps to protect their health by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and connecting with others. They can also keep up to date on all recommended health screenings and vaccinations.
However, the concept of health is complex. Some people believe that their health is determined by luck or family genes, while others might suggest that it’s a matter of personal lifestyle choices such as whether to smoke, how much they drink or eat, and how they manage stress. While there’s no doubt that one’s lifestyle has a direct impact on health, a more recent understanding of what is healthy focuses on the broader social context that is fundamental to the experience and maintenance of good health.
In the 1980s, there was a shift in how the world viewed health. In place of the biomedical model that emphasized disease and cure, the field model framework promoted a broader conception of health as a resource for living. As part of this new definition, health promotion aimed not at changing individual behaviors that could be considered the responsibility of the individual but rather at promoting factors in their environment that influence behavior such as nutrition, physical activity, and access to medical care.
The 2021 commentary builds on this concept of health to emphasize that it is dynamic and continuous, not distinct from functioning limitations but instead a condition that involves balance and adaptation, and is influenced by the environmental and personal resources that a person has available for meeting life’s challenges. It also emphasizes that health is not just a matter of mental and physical wellness, but can encompass emotional, spiritual, and financial well-being.
Ultimately, health is the most important member of any healthcare team, and no one knows better than you how you can best maintain or improve your own. From keeping track of your appointment dates to asking questions about side effects from medications, you can be the star player on your team. The most important thing you can do for your own health is to make healthy choices that help you cope with your everyday stressors and live a longer, healthier life. You can learn more about health and function by visiting the Nisonger Center’s website. This Commentary is made possible through a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Health and Functioning grant from the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90RTHF0002-01-00), part of the Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services. Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the NIDILRR or the Administration for Community Living.
When most people think about health, they imagine a state of well-being in which they feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually at ease. They may also think about their ability to perform work and engage in family, community, and other activities. People can’t always control how they feel or what illnesses they get, but they can take steps to protect their health by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and connecting with others. They can also keep up to date on all recommended health screenings and vaccinations. However, the concept of health is complex. Some people believe that their health is determined by luck or family genes, while others might suggest that it’s a matter of personal lifestyle choices such as whether to smoke, how much they drink or eat, and how they manage stress. While there’s no doubt that one’s lifestyle has a direct impact on health, a more recent understanding of what is healthy focuses on the broader social context that is fundamental to the experience and maintenance of good health. In the 1980s, there was a shift in how the world viewed health. In place of the biomedical model that emphasized disease and cure, the field model framework promoted a broader conception of health as a resource for living. As part of this new definition, health promotion aimed not at changing individual behaviors that could be considered the responsibility of the individual but rather at promoting factors in their environment that influence behavior such as nutrition, physical activity, and access to medical care. The 2021 commentary builds on this concept of health to emphasize that it is dynamic and continuous, not distinct from functioning limitations but instead a condition that involves balance and adaptation, and is influenced by the environmental and personal resources that a person has available for meeting life’s challenges. It also emphasizes that health is not just a matter of mental and physical wellness, but can encompass emotional, spiritual, and financial well-being. Ultimately, health is the most important member of any healthcare team, and no one knows better than you how you can best maintain or improve your own. From keeping track of your appointment dates to asking questions about side effects from medications, you can be the star player on your team. The most important thing you can do for your own health is to make healthy choices that help you cope with your everyday stressors and live a longer, healthier life. You can learn more about health and function by visiting the Nisonger Center’s website. This Commentary is made possible through a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Health and Functioning grant from the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90RTHF0002-01-00), part of the Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services. Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the NIDILRR or the Administration for Community Living.