What Is Health?
Health is a concept of well being that includes the physical, mental and social. It is a positive state of being which differs from happiness or contentment, though these may be associated with health. A person’s lifestyle and environment may influence their health status, and a person can experience different levels of health at any given time.
A person who is considered healthy will have a body that functions normally and efficiently, in which all systems work together to maintain balance. Often, this is achieved through regular exercise, balanced diet and adequate rest. People in good health will also receive medical treatment when necessary. They will have a sense of fulfilment in their life and the capacity to meet their aspirations.
The World Health Organization’s 1948 Constitution defined health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This definition is still widely accepted today. Since that time, significant advances have been made in the understanding of diseases and their causes, resulting in new and better treatments and preventive strategies. Globally, average life expectancies have increased significantly, and many of the major diseases that dominated health policy in the 1950s (such as polio, diphtheria and measles) have disappeared.
Nevertheless, the underlying causes of health remain largely unchanged and many chronic diseases persist, despite medical advances. This is because a disease may not only be caused by an individual’s genetic makeup or their lifestyle, but the way that individuals interact with their environments and the cultural context within which they live.
As such, there is a growing movement toward the view that health is not merely the absence of disease. Some scholars are promoting the idea of salutogenesis, a scientific approach to studying health and wellbeing which focuses on factors that support a person’s health rather than those that cause illness. This contrasts with the traditional pathogenesis approach which seeks to understand the cause of diseases and their symptoms.
When writing articles about health, it is important to keep in mind that most readers are looking for practical advice and information. They want to know how they can achieve a healthier lifestyle and are not interested in enormous overarching plans that promise miracle cures. Readers are also expecting a genuine tone and voice from the writer. A condescending or artificial voice can quickly detract from the credibility of an article. The best way to avoid this is to write from a place of personal experience and knowledge. If you are not a health professional, it is best to leave the technical details to those who are. Instead, focus on explaining the effects and consequences of various lifestyle choices on a person’s health. For example, smoking is associated with poor lung function, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to obesity. Similarly, stress can cause a range of psychological problems. So it is important to learn how to deal with stress effectively.
Health is a concept of well being that includes the physical, mental and social. It is a positive state of being which differs from happiness or contentment, though these may be associated with health. A person’s lifestyle and environment may influence their health status, and a person can experience different levels of health at any given time. A person who is considered healthy will have a body that functions normally and efficiently, in which all systems work together to maintain balance. Often, this is achieved through regular exercise, balanced diet and adequate rest. People in good health will also receive medical treatment when necessary. They will have a sense of fulfilment in their life and the capacity to meet their aspirations. The World Health Organization’s 1948 Constitution defined health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This definition is still widely accepted today. Since that time, significant advances have been made in the understanding of diseases and their causes, resulting in new and better treatments and preventive strategies. Globally, average life expectancies have increased significantly, and many of the major diseases that dominated health policy in the 1950s (such as polio, diphtheria and measles) have disappeared. Nevertheless, the underlying causes of health remain largely unchanged and many chronic diseases persist, despite medical advances. This is because a disease may not only be caused by an individual’s genetic makeup or their lifestyle, but the way that individuals interact with their environments and the cultural context within which they live. As such, there is a growing movement toward the view that health is not merely the absence of disease. Some scholars are promoting the idea of salutogenesis, a scientific approach to studying health and wellbeing which focuses on factors that support a person’s health rather than those that cause illness. This contrasts with the traditional pathogenesis approach which seeks to understand the cause of diseases and their symptoms. When writing articles about health, it is important to keep in mind that most readers are looking for practical advice and information. They want to know how they can achieve a healthier lifestyle and are not interested in enormous overarching plans that promise miracle cures. Readers are also expecting a genuine tone and voice from the writer. A condescending or artificial voice can quickly detract from the credibility of an article. The best way to avoid this is to write from a place of personal experience and knowledge. If you are not a health professional, it is best to leave the technical details to those who are. Instead, focus on explaining the effects and consequences of various lifestyle choices on a person’s health. For example, smoking is associated with poor lung function, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to obesity. Similarly, stress can cause a range of psychological problems. So it is important to learn how to deal with stress effectively.