What Is Health?
The World Health Organisation defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It is important to note that unlike disease, which can be categorized, defined and even understood by scientific means, the concept of health is much more complex. Health is subjective and highly personal, with a wide range of interpretations. Individuals view health from different perspectives, and their perspective influences the way they behave with respect to healthy habits and lifestyle choices.
The health of peoples is fundamental to their overall well-being and the enjoyment of life. It is a fundamental human right, which governments have the responsibility to promote and protect. Health includes the individual’s ability to function in their prevailing environment and to adapt to changes therein. It requires a combination of a balanced diet, proper exercise, rest and sleep, and the support of family and friends. It also requires access to medical and psychological care, as well as the education of peoples in health matters.
People’s health depends on the circumstances in which they grow, live, work, play and age, including their socioeconomic position. These factors influence the development of health behaviours and interact to cause or prevent diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. They also contribute to health inequities – avoidable differences in health status seen within and between groups and countries (Commission on Social Determinants of Health 2008).
A person’s health is dependent upon the quality and quantity of food they eat, their lifestyle and activity levels, their level of stress and their genetic makeup. They can also be affected by environmental factors such as air and water quality, housing and community design, and the presence of natural environments that provide recreation and leisure activities.
Generally, it is believed that people have the ability to maintain their health and fitness through positive lifestyle choices. These include eating a nutritious diet, getting enough physical activity, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use, and sleeping for a reasonable amount of time each night. The environment is considered to have a direct impact on a person’s health, as it influences the development of diseases and conditions, such as obesity and depression.
Considering the complexity of health, it is no wonder that there are many definitions of the term. It is important for health professionals to understand the varying definitions of health, so that they can tailor their messages accordingly to ensure that people are able to follow the advice that is most appropriate for them. The most common definition of health is that it is a state of being free from disease and infirmity. However, this definition is limiting, as it does not take into account the fact that a disease or infirmity can be present in an individual without them being able to recognise it or understand its causes. A second definition is that of health as a positive concept, which is broader in scope and encompasses both the presence and absence of disease and infirmity.
The World Health Organisation defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It is important to note that unlike disease, which can be categorized, defined and even understood by scientific means, the concept of health is much more complex. Health is subjective and highly personal, with a wide range of interpretations. Individuals view health from different perspectives, and their perspective influences the way they behave with respect to healthy habits and lifestyle choices. The health of peoples is fundamental to their overall well-being and the enjoyment of life. It is a fundamental human right, which governments have the responsibility to promote and protect. Health includes the individual’s ability to function in their prevailing environment and to adapt to changes therein. It requires a combination of a balanced diet, proper exercise, rest and sleep, and the support of family and friends. It also requires access to medical and psychological care, as well as the education of peoples in health matters. People’s health depends on the circumstances in which they grow, live, work, play and age, including their socioeconomic position. These factors influence the development of health behaviours and interact to cause or prevent diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. They also contribute to health inequities – avoidable differences in health status seen within and between groups and countries (Commission on Social Determinants of Health 2008). A person’s health is dependent upon the quality and quantity of food they eat, their lifestyle and activity levels, their level of stress and their genetic makeup. They can also be affected by environmental factors such as air and water quality, housing and community design, and the presence of natural environments that provide recreation and leisure activities. Generally, it is believed that people have the ability to maintain their health and fitness through positive lifestyle choices. These include eating a nutritious diet, getting enough physical activity, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use, and sleeping for a reasonable amount of time each night. The environment is considered to have a direct impact on a person’s health, as it influences the development of diseases and conditions, such as obesity and depression. Considering the complexity of health, it is no wonder that there are many definitions of the term. It is important for health professionals to understand the varying definitions of health, so that they can tailor their messages accordingly to ensure that people are able to follow the advice that is most appropriate for them. The most common definition of health is that it is a state of being free from disease and infirmity. However, this definition is limiting, as it does not take into account the fact that a disease or infirmity can be present in an individual without them being able to recognise it or understand its causes. A second definition is that of health as a positive concept, which is broader in scope and encompasses both the presence and absence of disease and infirmity.