Health As a Multifaceted Concept
Health is a multifaceted concept, ranging from the ability to manage symptoms of chronic illness to the capacity for enjoyment in life. A growing body of evidence shows that health is a dynamic process, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This shift in thinking invites new ways of assessing resiliency and the resources for adaptation. It also calls for attention to the settings in which people strive to be healthy and the broader conditions that shape their lives.
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a definition of health that emphasized a positive conception rather than one based on the absence of pathology. This broad view of health expanded on earlier conceptualizations by embracing mental and social dimensions. Unfortunately, this definition was limited by the knowledge available at the time. Today, medical advances may reveal that an individual previously thought to be healthy was actually suffering from an undetected condition.
To be healthy, a person must be able to manage the demands of daily living, as well as maintain the resources necessary for self-determination and social participation. In order to do so, an individual must possess the flexibility to change as needs and circumstances arise, as well as have access to the supports necessary to cope with stressors that cannot be changed, such as genetic disorders or aging.
For example, an allergic reaction can range from mildly uncomfortable to dangerous, depending on the extent of the person’s sensitivity. A person with a chronic allergy can still experience good health if they have a flexible schedule and can avoid the allergens that trigger it. However, if an allergy causes work restrictions or the inability to participate in certain activities with family and friends, a person can no longer be considered healthy.
It is important for individuals, researchers and policymakers to think broadly about the concepts of health. In contrast to disease, which is a recognizable and often easily defined entity, the notion of health is more difficult to define. For this reason, there is a tendency to focus attention on specific diseases or behaviors. Funding streams for both research and the delivery of services reinforce this approach.
A broader definition of health would encourage the identification of a wider range of targets for intervention. For instance, a community’s health can be improved by reducing teen pregnancies and alcohol and drug abuse. These factors can be influenced by interventions that provide education, support parenting skills and encourage community involvement.
There is a strong relationship between health and the conditions in which people live, work, learn and grow. These are called the determinants of health. They include a wide variety of things such as general socioeconomic and environmental factors; culture, habits, beliefs and values; living and working conditions; and social and personal relationships. They can be risk or protective factors and may be either structural or behavioral. In addition, these determinants are interrelated and affect each other in complex ways.
Health is a multifaceted concept, ranging from the ability to manage symptoms of chronic illness to the capacity for enjoyment in life. A growing body of evidence shows that health is a dynamic process, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This shift in thinking invites new ways of assessing resiliency and the resources for adaptation. It also calls for attention to the settings in which people strive to be healthy and the broader conditions that shape their lives. In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a definition of health that emphasized a positive conception rather than one based on the absence of pathology. This broad view of health expanded on earlier conceptualizations by embracing mental and social dimensions. Unfortunately, this definition was limited by the knowledge available at the time. Today, medical advances may reveal that an individual previously thought to be healthy was actually suffering from an undetected condition. To be healthy, a person must be able to manage the demands of daily living, as well as maintain the resources necessary for self-determination and social participation. In order to do so, an individual must possess the flexibility to change as needs and circumstances arise, as well as have access to the supports necessary to cope with stressors that cannot be changed, such as genetic disorders or aging. For example, an allergic reaction can range from mildly uncomfortable to dangerous, depending on the extent of the person’s sensitivity. A person with a chronic allergy can still experience good health if they have a flexible schedule and can avoid the allergens that trigger it. However, if an allergy causes work restrictions or the inability to participate in certain activities with family and friends, a person can no longer be considered healthy. It is important for individuals, researchers and policymakers to think broadly about the concepts of health. In contrast to disease, which is a recognizable and often easily defined entity, the notion of health is more difficult to define. For this reason, there is a tendency to focus attention on specific diseases or behaviors. Funding streams for both research and the delivery of services reinforce this approach. A broader definition of health would encourage the identification of a wider range of targets for intervention. For instance, a community’s health can be improved by reducing teen pregnancies and alcohol and drug abuse. These factors can be influenced by interventions that provide education, support parenting skills and encourage community involvement. There is a strong relationship between health and the conditions in which people live, work, learn and grow. These are called the determinants of health. They include a wide variety of things such as general socioeconomic and environmental factors; culture, habits, beliefs and values; living and working conditions; and social and personal relationships. They can be risk or protective factors and may be either structural or behavioral. In addition, these determinants are interrelated and affect each other in complex ways.