The Definition of Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. It is a fundamental human right and must be enjoyed by all. A person’s health reflects complex interactions between genetics, environment and lifestyle. It varies according to age, gender, social and economic status and other factors. However, a person can only achieve a healthy state if they take appropriate measures to improve their wellbeing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a “complete physical, mental, and social well-being” that is free from disease. The constitution of the WHO states that enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental human right.
While the definition of health remains the same, new understandings of diseases and their treatments have changed. For instance, life expectancy has decreased since the 1950s. This has been attributed to the increasing rate of overwork and obesity, as well as the rise of service sector jobs. Despite these changes, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes continue to be the leading causes of death in the U.S.
While a high value is placed on health, people must also be able to access the medical care they need in a timely and cost-effective manner. This is why nation states must provide for determinants of health. They must also ensure that their policies and laws safeguard the availability of quality health care to all citizens.
A definition of health that focuses only on the absence of disease is unsatisfactory. This definition also fails to account for the growing number of people with chronic diseases. Moreover, a ‘complete’ or ‘full’ health definition should not exclude people with disability. It must also consider the scale of values involved in assessing one’s health. It must therefore be tailored to each individual’s needs and expectations.
The WHO’s founding constitution defined health as a “complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being” and as the “absence of disease.” It was designed to provide a new vision of health for all. The constitution aimed to go beyond the negative conceptions of health based on the absence of pathology and disease. It was hoped that this definition would lead to action to reduce the burden of disease.
The biopsychosocial model integrates the psychological, physical, and social components of illness and disease. It also considers the impact of personal behavior and family functioning on a person’s health. It is proposed that the focus of health should shift from a focus on prevention and removal of diseases to a focus on a person’s ability to adapt to their environment. This includes the ability to cope with stress.
The WHO’s definition of health, however, is not the only way to define the concept. Other approaches include the presence of disease or the likelihood of an imminent disease. The latter approach is more descriptive. These approaches may help identify risks and protect individuals. Nevertheless, the ‘perfect’ or ‘complete’ definition of health is unrealistic. It does not account for the fact that only a small number of people will attain complete wellbeing at any given time.
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. It is a fundamental human right and must be enjoyed by all. A person’s health reflects complex interactions between genetics, environment and lifestyle. It varies according to age, gender, social and economic status and other factors. However, a person can only achieve a healthy state if they take appropriate measures to improve their wellbeing. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a “complete physical, mental, and social well-being” that is free from disease. The constitution of the WHO states that enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental human right. While the definition of health remains the same, new understandings of diseases and their treatments have changed. For instance, life expectancy has decreased since the 1950s. This has been attributed to the increasing rate of overwork and obesity, as well as the rise of service sector jobs. Despite these changes, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes continue to be the leading causes of death in the U.S. While a high value is placed on health, people must also be able to access the medical care they need in a timely and cost-effective manner. This is why nation states must provide for determinants of health. They must also ensure that their policies and laws safeguard the availability of quality health care to all citizens. A definition of health that focuses only on the absence of disease is unsatisfactory. This definition also fails to account for the growing number of people with chronic diseases. Moreover, a ‘complete’ or ‘full’ health definition should not exclude people with disability. It must also consider the scale of values involved in assessing one’s health. It must therefore be tailored to each individual’s needs and expectations. The WHO’s founding constitution defined health as a “complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being” and as the “absence of disease.” It was designed to provide a new vision of health for all. The constitution aimed to go beyond the negative conceptions of health based on the absence of pathology and disease. It was hoped that this definition would lead to action to reduce the burden of disease. The biopsychosocial model integrates the psychological, physical, and social components of illness and disease. It also considers the impact of personal behavior and family functioning on a person’s health. It is proposed that the focus of health should shift from a focus on prevention and removal of diseases to a focus on a person’s ability to adapt to their environment. This includes the ability to cope with stress. The WHO’s definition of health, however, is not the only way to define the concept. Other approaches include the presence of disease or the likelihood of an imminent disease. The latter approach is more descriptive. These approaches may help identify risks and protect individuals. Nevertheless, the ‘perfect’ or ‘complete’ definition of health is unrealistic. It does not account for the fact that only a small number of people will attain complete wellbeing at any given time.