Definitions of Health and Determinants of Health
Health is the state of a person being physically, mentally and socially well. However, there is much debate about how to define this concept as some argue that it merely indicates the absence of disease and disability while others believe that it requires a more holistic approach to include mental health as well as physical wellbeing.
Some definitions of Health emphasise the importance of participation in society and consider it an essential component of health. This is particularly important for people living with disabilities but also for anyone who finds that their social or personal circumstances limit their participation. However, this approach tends to ignore experiential elements of health (such as pain, low mood etc) which may be more relevant to some people than others.
Other definitions consider a broader aspect of health by defining it as ‘achieving an aspirational standard’. This definition recognises that the causes of better or worse health can only be uncovered through comparison and therefore is potentially useful for epidemiological studies. However, it may obscure the extent to which differences in health are caused by injustice or by factors that can be influenced by political action.
A third type of definition considers health as a process rather than an outcome. This recognises that healthy individuals are constantly adapting to the challenges of their environment and life circumstances. It also invites us to look at ways in which we can build resilience and coping capacity for adapting to health hazards and challenges. It is also more likely to acknowledge that health inequalities are unjust and a cause for concern.
Determinants of Health
The determinants of health are the broad features that influence a person’s chances of being healthy or unhealthy. They can include environmental factors such as the quality of food, water and air, the availability of safe housing, education and employment and social connections. They can also include a person’s own behaviours such as smoking, exercise and substance use. Health determinants are inter-related and their impacts can be synergistic.
These determinants are largely outside of an individual’s control and, to some extent, are unavoidable. For example, poorer housing and education outcomes can increase the risk of drug abuse and low incomes can reduce a person’s ability to make healthy choices. These determinants are often not considered in health interventions and policies and may be overlooked by health services that focus on diseases and disorders and not the wider determinants of health. However, a broader approach to health can enable interventions and policies that address these issues. This is a key step towards creating healthier and more equitable societies.
Health is the state of a person being physically, mentally and socially well. However, there is much debate about how to define this concept as some argue that it merely indicates the absence of disease and disability while others believe that it requires a more holistic approach to include mental health as well as physical wellbeing. Some definitions of Health emphasise the importance of participation in society and consider it an essential component of health. This is particularly important for people living with disabilities but also for anyone who finds that their social or personal circumstances limit their participation. However, this approach tends to ignore experiential elements of health (such as pain, low mood etc) which may be more relevant to some people than others. Other definitions consider a broader aspect of health by defining it as ‘achieving an aspirational standard’. This definition recognises that the causes of better or worse health can only be uncovered through comparison and therefore is potentially useful for epidemiological studies. However, it may obscure the extent to which differences in health are caused by injustice or by factors that can be influenced by political action. A third type of definition considers health as a process rather than an outcome. This recognises that healthy individuals are constantly adapting to the challenges of their environment and life circumstances. It also invites us to look at ways in which we can build resilience and coping capacity for adapting to health hazards and challenges. It is also more likely to acknowledge that health inequalities are unjust and a cause for concern. Determinants of Health The determinants of health are the broad features that influence a person’s chances of being healthy or unhealthy. They can include environmental factors such as the quality of food, water and air, the availability of safe housing, education and employment and social connections. They can also include a person’s own behaviours such as smoking, exercise and substance use. Health determinants are inter-related and their impacts can be synergistic. These determinants are largely outside of an individual’s control and, to some extent, are unavoidable. For example, poorer housing and education outcomes can increase the risk of drug abuse and low incomes can reduce a person’s ability to make healthy choices. These determinants are often not considered in health interventions and policies and may be overlooked by health services that focus on diseases and disorders and not the wider determinants of health. However, a broader approach to health can enable interventions and policies that address these issues. This is a key step towards creating healthier and more equitable societies.