What Is Health?
Health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. It is a concept that is widely viewed as being influenced by factors beyond medical care, such as diet and exercise, personal lifestyle choices, environmental conditions and genetic endowment. It is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be difficult to define.
A number of different definitions of Health have been proposed. Traditionally, it is seen as the capacity to function in society (i.e., to be able to work and participate fully in life’s activities), although it can also include the experience of positive emotion or happiness. Other authors have defined health as an elusive ideal and as the achievement of a standard against which people can measure their lives. Increasingly, however, the definition of Health is being viewed as including both the experience and the capacities that allow people to function (see below).
Despite the wide variation in approaches to Health, some common themes can be identified. These include the role of individual choice and responsibility in the maintenance of Health, as well as the importance of community support systems in the promotion and maintenance of Health. In addition, there is recognition that many of the determinants of Health are outside the scope of formal medical care and public health programs, such as housing, nutrition, education, access to healthy foods, and poverty levels.
An important element of Health is the ability to adapt to change. This flexibility is required to cope with the unpredictable nature of the human condition, as well as to respond to new developments in science and technology. The ability to adapt is also critical for maintaining Health over a lifetime.
People can achieve and maintain good Health by adopting health-promoting behaviors such as regular exercise, balanced eating and a reduction in stress levels. In addition, it is important to receive medical treatment when necessary.
The most important factor, though, is the degree to which Health is valued. Individuals who place a high value on Health are more likely to engage in preventive actions and seek health care when needed. A broad definition of Health therefore allows improvement efforts to move away from a focus on diseases and toward an emphasis on improving functional capacity both in the present and for the future, as well as the experience of health itself.
When writing an article about Health, it is essential to consider the audience. The intended readers will have a different perspective on the topic and what they are looking for from the article. The format of the article may also influence how the idea is framed. For example, will the article be a brief news story, an in-depth feature or a profile of a researcher? The final article will be shaped accordingly. Taking the time to focus on the audience and the article’s format will make it easier to generate ideas. This will save the author valuable writing time and ensure that the article meets the expectations of the reader.
Health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. It is a concept that is widely viewed as being influenced by factors beyond medical care, such as diet and exercise, personal lifestyle choices, environmental conditions and genetic endowment. It is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be difficult to define. A number of different definitions of Health have been proposed. Traditionally, it is seen as the capacity to function in society (i.e., to be able to work and participate fully in life’s activities), although it can also include the experience of positive emotion or happiness. Other authors have defined health as an elusive ideal and as the achievement of a standard against which people can measure their lives. Increasingly, however, the definition of Health is being viewed as including both the experience and the capacities that allow people to function (see below). Despite the wide variation in approaches to Health, some common themes can be identified. These include the role of individual choice and responsibility in the maintenance of Health, as well as the importance of community support systems in the promotion and maintenance of Health. In addition, there is recognition that many of the determinants of Health are outside the scope of formal medical care and public health programs, such as housing, nutrition, education, access to healthy foods, and poverty levels. An important element of Health is the ability to adapt to change. This flexibility is required to cope with the unpredictable nature of the human condition, as well as to respond to new developments in science and technology. The ability to adapt is also critical for maintaining Health over a lifetime. People can achieve and maintain good Health by adopting health-promoting behaviors such as regular exercise, balanced eating and a reduction in stress levels. In addition, it is important to receive medical treatment when necessary. The most important factor, though, is the degree to which Health is valued. Individuals who place a high value on Health are more likely to engage in preventive actions and seek health care when needed. A broad definition of Health therefore allows improvement efforts to move away from a focus on diseases and toward an emphasis on improving functional capacity both in the present and for the future, as well as the experience of health itself. When writing an article about Health, it is essential to consider the audience. The intended readers will have a different perspective on the topic and what they are looking for from the article. The format of the article may also influence how the idea is framed. For example, will the article be a brief news story, an in-depth feature or a profile of a researcher? The final article will be shaped accordingly. Taking the time to focus on the audience and the article’s format will make it easier to generate ideas. This will save the author valuable writing time and ensure that the article meets the expectations of the reader.