Three Things to Remember When Writing About Health
Health is about living a life of meaning and purpose, in a way that allows you to function and cope well in your environment and social relationships. It is also about maintaining a balanced lifestyle, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. In 1948, at the time of its founding, 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 approach was one of many that sought to move the definition beyond a narrow view of health as only the absence of disease or illness.
Most people would probably agree that their level of health is partly a matter of luck or family history, but most would also argue that they themselves play a significant part in determining how healthy they will be. Their eating habits, their exercise levels and their use of medications are all likely to impact their personal health. However, the majority of people will also point to the environmental factors that influence their overall health – things like access to clean air and water, education, employment opportunities and housing. These factors are sometimes known as the ‘health determinants’, and they interact with the genes that an individual inherits from their parents.
As scientists and medical professionals have made great strides in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, the definition of health has expanded to take a more holistic view. While the laboratory tests that are used to declare an individual healthy may still be important, they are no longer sufficient. This is because the definition of health needs to include how an individual feels about their condition, what it means for them to live with it and how they plan to fight it or manage it.
The most important thing to remember when writing about health is that readers expect a practical and pragmatic approach. Most of them are looking for information and knowledge that will help them live a healthier life. They want to understand a particular illness, learn how to take a new medication or simply know when something they are experiencing is normal vs. worrying. A lot of them are not in the mood for overly sentimental, preachy or magical articles that promise the impossible.
Keeping these three points in mind will allow you to write an article that your audience will find interesting and helpful. Whether you are writing for a general health or wellness magazine, an academic journal or an employer’s employee newsletter, there is always a need for good quality health articles that will be read by a broad range of individuals. So if you have the right mix of ingredients, your next article could be the one that changes someone’s life for the better. Good luck!
Health is about living a life of meaning and purpose, in a way that allows you to function and cope well in your environment and social relationships. It is also about maintaining a balanced lifestyle, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. In 1948, at the time of its founding, 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 approach was one of many that sought to move the definition beyond a narrow view of health as only the absence of disease or illness. Most people would probably agree that their level of health is partly a matter of luck or family history, but most would also argue that they themselves play a significant part in determining how healthy they will be. Their eating habits, their exercise levels and their use of medications are all likely to impact their personal health. However, the majority of people will also point to the environmental factors that influence their overall health – things like access to clean air and water, education, employment opportunities and housing. These factors are sometimes known as the ‘health determinants’, and they interact with the genes that an individual inherits from their parents. As scientists and medical professionals have made great strides in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, the definition of health has expanded to take a more holistic view. While the laboratory tests that are used to declare an individual healthy may still be important, they are no longer sufficient. This is because the definition of health needs to include how an individual feels about their condition, what it means for them to live with it and how they plan to fight it or manage it. The most important thing to remember when writing about health is that readers expect a practical and pragmatic approach. Most of them are looking for information and knowledge that will help them live a healthier life. They want to understand a particular illness, learn how to take a new medication or simply know when something they are experiencing is normal vs. worrying. A lot of them are not in the mood for overly sentimental, preachy or magical articles that promise the impossible. Keeping these three points in mind will allow you to write an article that your audience will find interesting and helpful. Whether you are writing for a general health or wellness magazine, an academic journal or an employer’s employee newsletter, there is always a need for good quality health articles that will be read by a broad range of individuals. So if you have the right mix of ingredients, your next article could be the one that changes someone’s life for the better. Good luck!