The Meaning of Health
Health is a complex concept that includes all aspects of human life and well-being. The broad definition of health was enshrined in the constitution of the World Health Organization when it was established in 1948. It states that “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
The modern understanding of health has expanded to include many different aspects of a person’s life. This includes their social, emotional and spiritual well-being as well as their ability to function physically and cognitively. Health is also considered to be linked with a person’s financial security, their relationship with others and the quality of the environment.
Various factors can impact a person’s level of health. These may be biological or environmental. For example, genetics can play a role in a person’s overall health and their vulnerability to certain diseases. Environmental factors can include the quality of air, water and soil, as well as access to resources such as healthy food and shelter. Social and economic factors can include a person’s financial status, family relationships, culture and quality of community.
A person’s level of health can be affected by their own choices, behaviours and beliefs as well as by the social, cultural and economic environment in which they live. Some of these factors can be directly influenced by a person, for example their diet and lifestyle choices. Other factors are indirectly influenced by a person, such as their education and work opportunities.
In addition to these factors, a person’s level of health is affected by the quality of their health care and the quality of their relationships with other people. These factors can have a direct effect on their emotional and psychological wellbeing, as well as their ability to function physically.
As new knowledge is discovered about the cause and progression of diseases, it is inevitable that our definitions of health will change. For example, an allergic reaction to a particular allergen can range from a mild rash to anaphylactic shock or even death. The underlying theme of any new discovery is that good health is not simply an absence of pathology.
Ultimately, the meaning of health will be defined by the individual. This will depend on the values and goals that they hold, and their perception of what is realistic in their life situation. Three qualities of this perspective appear to be wholeness, pragmatism and individualism. Wholeness refers to the idea that health is experienced as a phenomenon interwoven with other aspects of life, including working and family lives. Pragmatism refers to the fact that health is viewed as an aspect of living with limited resources, requiring compromises and trade-offs. Individualism refers to the fact that each person’s health experience is unique and personal.
Health is a complex concept that includes all aspects of human life and well-being. The broad definition of health was enshrined in the constitution of the World Health Organization when it was established in 1948. It states that “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The modern understanding of health has expanded to include many different aspects of a person’s life. This includes their social, emotional and spiritual well-being as well as their ability to function physically and cognitively. Health is also considered to be linked with a person’s financial security, their relationship with others and the quality of the environment. Various factors can impact a person’s level of health. These may be biological or environmental. For example, genetics can play a role in a person’s overall health and their vulnerability to certain diseases. Environmental factors can include the quality of air, water and soil, as well as access to resources such as healthy food and shelter. Social and economic factors can include a person’s financial status, family relationships, culture and quality of community. A person’s level of health can be affected by their own choices, behaviours and beliefs as well as by the social, cultural and economic environment in which they live. Some of these factors can be directly influenced by a person, for example their diet and lifestyle choices. Other factors are indirectly influenced by a person, such as their education and work opportunities. In addition to these factors, a person’s level of health is affected by the quality of their health care and the quality of their relationships with other people. These factors can have a direct effect on their emotional and psychological wellbeing, as well as their ability to function physically. As new knowledge is discovered about the cause and progression of diseases, it is inevitable that our definitions of health will change. For example, an allergic reaction to a particular allergen can range from a mild rash to anaphylactic shock or even death. The underlying theme of any new discovery is that good health is not simply an absence of pathology. Ultimately, the meaning of health will be defined by the individual. This will depend on the values and goals that they hold, and their perception of what is realistic in their life situation. Three qualities of this perspective appear to be wholeness, pragmatism and individualism. Wholeness refers to the idea that health is experienced as a phenomenon interwoven with other aspects of life, including working and family lives. Pragmatism refers to the fact that health is viewed as an aspect of living with limited resources, requiring compromises and trade-offs. Individualism refers to the fact that each person’s health experience is unique and personal.