Understanding the Concept of Health
Health is a broad term, but it refers to the physical and mental well-being of an individual or group. A person can only be healthy when he or she is in an optimal state of functioning and well-being. Health is a result of a combination of factors, including genetics, environment, and social and economic conditions. Health is also the ability to cope with change, stress and adversity.
In 1948, the World Health Organization included a definition of health in its founding constitution: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This positive conception of health is a great advance over the traditional negative concept of illness based on the presence of pathology.
The field of health promotion focuses on behavior as a means to enhance and maintain health, but there are several different perspectives about what constitutes healthy behavior. Some researchers argue that healthy behavior is a matter of personal choice, whereas others point to environmental and societal factors as influences on individuals’ behavior. Still others believe that there is no such thing as risk-free wellbeing (Huber et al, 1996).
During the twentieth century, many Americans adopted a view of health as a biomedical construct. This perspective developed along with advances in medical science and increased national investments in healthcare. It led to the development of well-baby clinics, the building of hospitals, and the expansion of medical research. It also led to a focus on the causes of health, such as infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. This perspective on health is often called the medical model of health.
An alternative perspective on health, called the sociocultural perspective, is rooted in the work of scholars such as Andrija Stampar and Margaret Weiss. This approach is characterized by the notions of wholeness, pragmatism and individualism. The wholeness principle refers to the idea that an individual’s perception of health is a product of his or her life situation. It is a complex phenomenon that is shaped by various factors, including work and family life, and it is influenced by one’s values and beliefs.
The pragmatist perspective reflects the fact that individuals experience health in relative terms and that the concept of health is a dynamic process that changes over time. People’s views of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle reflect the prevailing culture and values. As a consequence, it is important to consider the cultural context of an individual’s health status when developing a treatment plan.
It is also necessary to think about the audience of your article when writing a health feature. This will help you determine what format your article should take – a short news story, an in-depth feature article or a profile of a researcher studying a particular disease. Defining the format of your article will also help you narrow down your focus and create a clearer concept for your article. It is a good idea to send your finished article to a few pairs of eyes before you publish it, including friends and family members who can provide honest feedback about how the piece reads.
Health is a broad term, but it refers to the physical and mental well-being of an individual or group. A person can only be healthy when he or she is in an optimal state of functioning and well-being. Health is a result of a combination of factors, including genetics, environment, and social and economic conditions. Health is also the ability to cope with change, stress and adversity. In 1948, the World Health Organization included a definition of health in its founding constitution: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This positive conception of health is a great advance over the traditional negative concept of illness based on the presence of pathology. The field of health promotion focuses on behavior as a means to enhance and maintain health, but there are several different perspectives about what constitutes healthy behavior. Some researchers argue that healthy behavior is a matter of personal choice, whereas others point to environmental and societal factors as influences on individuals’ behavior. Still others believe that there is no such thing as risk-free wellbeing (Huber et al, 1996). During the twentieth century, many Americans adopted a view of health as a biomedical construct. This perspective developed along with advances in medical science and increased national investments in healthcare. It led to the development of well-baby clinics, the building of hospitals, and the expansion of medical research. It also led to a focus on the causes of health, such as infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. This perspective on health is often called the medical model of health. An alternative perspective on health, called the sociocultural perspective, is rooted in the work of scholars such as Andrija Stampar and Margaret Weiss. This approach is characterized by the notions of wholeness, pragmatism and individualism. The wholeness principle refers to the idea that an individual’s perception of health is a product of his or her life situation. It is a complex phenomenon that is shaped by various factors, including work and family life, and it is influenced by one’s values and beliefs. The pragmatist perspective reflects the fact that individuals experience health in relative terms and that the concept of health is a dynamic process that changes over time. People’s views of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle reflect the prevailing culture and values. As a consequence, it is important to consider the cultural context of an individual’s health status when developing a treatment plan. It is also necessary to think about the audience of your article when writing a health feature. This will help you determine what format your article should take – a short news story, an in-depth feature article or a profile of a researcher studying a particular disease. Defining the format of your article will also help you narrow down your focus and create a clearer concept for your article. It is a good idea to send your finished article to a few pairs of eyes before you publish it, including friends and family members who can provide honest feedback about how the piece reads.