Three Concepts of Health
Health is a complex concept with many different views. In the digital environment these views are present at the same time, interacting and evolving in the same time. Some of them are new and appealing, while others appear to be refurbished historical concepts. The data sgp aim of this article is to give an overview of the main ideas influencing the perception of health.
The first concept relates to the idea of health as the absence of disease. Several authors have highlighted the dangers of this view. A person declared healthy by the medical profession can be reclassified as diseased again tomorrow when more advanced methods of investigation discover a disease that earlier methods missed. Moreover, even the most optimistic health advocate has to admit that it is impossible to achieve risk-free well-being.
A second concept of health focuses on functional ability, especially the capability of living and adapting to a changing environment. This concept of health is more inclusive and holistic than the previous one. It also places the emphasis on a positive life-style. This concept is endorsed by the founder of WHO, Andrija Stampar.
Several studies have shown that the physical condition of a person influences the perceived level of his or her health. This is related to the fact that an active lifestyle decreases the likelihood of illness and enhances a feeling of well-being. People pursuing a healthy lifestyle tend to be aware of the importance of regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest. They also try to avoid substances that could harm their health.
The third concept of health is related to a person’s value system and his or her capacity to express it in a given situation. This approach is based on the theory of individualism. The concept of wholeness also reflects this view. A person’s health is experienced in relation to other aspects of his or her life, such as work, family functioning, and social relationships.
The definition of health should take into account the complexity of human beings and their abilities. It is therefore difficult to find a universal definition of health. However, the aforementioned three concepts of health have been widely accepted. These have helped to form the basic foundation of public health policy and practice. Moreover, they are also the basis for the educational system and the healthcare system of the world’s countries. Nonetheless, these concepts can be refined further to meet the needs of a modern society. This is the task that lies ahead of us in the 21st century. The Zagreb Andrija Stampar School of Public Health is proud to be on the cutting edge of the development of this field. We look forward to continuing our contribution to a healthier world. The text is a contribution of the Research Centre for Integrated Healthcare, University of Zagreb. It is a part of the research programme “Health in context”. (Click here for the full text). This is an open access article.
Health is a complex concept with many different views. In the digital environment these views are present at the same time, interacting and evolving in the same time. Some of them are new and appealing, while others appear to be refurbished historical concepts. The data sgp aim of this article is to give an overview of the main ideas influencing the perception of health. The first concept relates to the idea of health as the absence of disease. Several authors have highlighted the dangers of this view. A person declared healthy by the medical profession can be reclassified as diseased again tomorrow when more advanced methods of investigation discover a disease that earlier methods missed. Moreover, even the most optimistic health advocate has to admit that it is impossible to achieve risk-free well-being. A second concept of health focuses on functional ability, especially the capability of living and adapting to a changing environment. This concept of health is more inclusive and holistic than the previous one. It also places the emphasis on a positive life-style. This concept is endorsed by the founder of WHO, Andrija Stampar. Several studies have shown that the physical condition of a person influences the perceived level of his or her health. This is related to the fact that an active lifestyle decreases the likelihood of illness and enhances a feeling of well-being. People pursuing a healthy lifestyle tend to be aware of the importance of regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest. They also try to avoid substances that could harm their health. The third concept of health is related to a person’s value system and his or her capacity to express it in a given situation. This approach is based on the theory of individualism. The concept of wholeness also reflects this view. A person’s health is experienced in relation to other aspects of his or her life, such as work, family functioning, and social relationships. The definition of health should take into account the complexity of human beings and their abilities. It is therefore difficult to find a universal definition of health. However, the aforementioned three concepts of health have been widely accepted. These have helped to form the basic foundation of public health policy and practice. Moreover, they are also the basis for the educational system and the healthcare system of the world’s countries. Nonetheless, these concepts can be refined further to meet the needs of a modern society. This is the task that lies ahead of us in the 21st century. The Zagreb Andrija Stampar School of Public Health is proud to be on the cutting edge of the development of this field. We look forward to continuing our contribution to a healthier world. The text is a contribution of the Research Centre for Integrated Healthcare, University of Zagreb. It is a part of the research programme “Health in context”. (Click here for the full text). This is an open access article.