What Is Health?
Health is a term that covers all aspects of an individual’s physical or mental well being, including the absence of disease and the ability to cope with everyday living. The World Health Organization defined health as a state of “complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition reflects an increasingly holistic approach to health which takes into account many societal factors that can affect an individual’s ability to function and maintain health, including lifestyle choices, genetics and environmental influences.
Despite this broad definition, it can be difficult to define health. One of the most common definitions of health is the ability to manage a medical condition, which can be measured by medical tests and procedures. This can include managing a chronic illness, such as diabetes or back pain, as well as preventing or reducing unhealthful behaviours, such as smoking or excessive stress.
Many people consider themselves healthy if they can maintain their body’s natural defences against disease and infection, which is often referred to as the immune system. This definition of health can be measured by a number of laboratory tests, such as blood count and cholesterol levels. This type of measurement can also be used to detect abnormalities before the onset of disease.
A more subjective concept of health is one that relates to an individual’s overall sense of wellbeing. This can be difficult to measure, but it is a central aspect of the definition of health outlined in the 1948 Constitution of the World Health Organisation: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
The lay perspective on health appears to be characterised by three qualities: wholeness, pragmatism, and individualism. Wholeness relates to the notion that health is a holistic phenomenon, which includes family functioning and children’s welfare as well as an individual’s ability to live according to their own values. Pragmatism refers to the notion that health is a resource which must be weighed against other concerns in making decisions about how to spend resources. Finally, individualism refers to the idea that health is a highly personal phenomenon that is influenced by an individual’s unique life situation.
Health articles should aim to be informative and educational, rather than sensationalist or sexy. Most readers will want to understand their own health situation in order to make better informed choices, such as when it is appropriate to take medication or how to prevent or treat a particular illness or injury. Readers also expect honesty from health articles and will be put off by anything that appears contrived or false.
The best health articles are based on solid research and are written in a clear and accessible manner. The most successful articles may also have a unique angle or offer insight that is not widely known. These characteristics can help an article win a prestigious writing award.
Health is a term that covers all aspects of an individual’s physical or mental well being, including the absence of disease and the ability to cope with everyday living. The World Health Organization defined health as a state of “complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition reflects an increasingly holistic approach to health which takes into account many societal factors that can affect an individual’s ability to function and maintain health, including lifestyle choices, genetics and environmental influences. Despite this broad definition, it can be difficult to define health. One of the most common definitions of health is the ability to manage a medical condition, which can be measured by medical tests and procedures. This can include managing a chronic illness, such as diabetes or back pain, as well as preventing or reducing unhealthful behaviours, such as smoking or excessive stress. Many people consider themselves healthy if they can maintain their body’s natural defences against disease and infection, which is often referred to as the immune system. This definition of health can be measured by a number of laboratory tests, such as blood count and cholesterol levels. This type of measurement can also be used to detect abnormalities before the onset of disease. A more subjective concept of health is one that relates to an individual’s overall sense of wellbeing. This can be difficult to measure, but it is a central aspect of the definition of health outlined in the 1948 Constitution of the World Health Organisation: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The lay perspective on health appears to be characterised by three qualities: wholeness, pragmatism, and individualism. Wholeness relates to the notion that health is a holistic phenomenon, which includes family functioning and children’s welfare as well as an individual’s ability to live according to their own values. Pragmatism refers to the notion that health is a resource which must be weighed against other concerns in making decisions about how to spend resources. Finally, individualism refers to the idea that health is a highly personal phenomenon that is influenced by an individual’s unique life situation. Health articles should aim to be informative and educational, rather than sensationalist or sexy. Most readers will want to understand their own health situation in order to make better informed choices, such as when it is appropriate to take medication or how to prevent or treat a particular illness or injury. Readers also expect honesty from health articles and will be put off by anything that appears contrived or false. The best health articles are based on solid research and are written in a clear and accessible manner. The most successful articles may also have a unique angle or offer insight that is not widely known. These characteristics can help an article win a prestigious writing award.