An Alternative Approach To A Definition Of Health
In American English, health has always been regarded as a “state of total cleanliness and health.” Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is, “an immaculate condition of the body, a state in which the body is in its optimum health and functioning.” A wide variety of other definitions have also been applied to health throughout the years. One definition, found in the medical bible, the Bible, states, “Health means having well-organized and healthy organs, bodily systems, a capacity to absorb and expatiate.” This definition provides a broad scope for what health is all about.
For many people, the definition of “good” or “great” health may depend on cultural norms. These definitions can vary depending on age, sex, socioeconomic status, and religious beliefs. For example, some may consider youth as the starting age at which someone is old enough to start considering themselves as having good wellbeing, while others believe that persons with chronic illness or disability are unable to acquire the same level of good health that others have because of their particular health concerns. Other factors that contribute to this definition of wellness include the quality of life achieved, the ability to perform activities of daily living, and the perception of physical and mental health.
Health is a complex concept. A person’s well being can be affected by genetic, physiological, neurological, environmental, and behavioral factors. These cause different contributing factors which collectively define health. Some of these factors include e.g. genetic factors, e.g.
The concept of health also includes the impact of lifestyle and behavior on health. This means that even though a person’s genetic makeup may predispose him or her to certain conditions, there are other factors that could increase or decrease a person’s likelihood of acquiring particular conditions and thus worsen his or her wellbeing. A person’s social environment can also significantly affect his or her health status. These factors include public health, e.g.
The holistic approach to wellness defines mental health as an integral part of the well-being. The two concepts are actually linked and intertwined: they develop when a person’s mental health is well-balanced and his or her physical health is sound. Health professionals use several common risk factors to assess health. These include physical illness, e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and cancer; mental illness, e.g.
When assessing a person’s state of wellness, physical exam results play an important role in the process. It is necessary to evaluate and rule out serious illnesses that could compromise the person’s well-being. A comprehensive health examination not only determines if a person is physically fit but also explores his or her psychological well-being. A history of personal illness, feeling good emotions, and beliefs about food, exercise, and stress, for instance, can be used to determine a person’s psychological wellness. Thus, a good definition of health emphasizes the importance of physical, emotional, and psychological wellness, each of which defines health more specifically than the absence of other factors.