Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is an “appraisal of a person’s health during his life” – a state of full physical, mental and emotional well-being. Various definitions have been applied to this concept over the years. But it should be noted that the state of health can only be accurately ascertained after a series of tests and interviews. This process of self-assessment helps determine the general state of health of the individual.
There are many determinants of health. Some of these are age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, level of education, wealth, health status, culture, and other aspects. The primary focus of medical care and services is to assess and treat the determinants of health. This includes physical examination of the body, measurement of vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse, and diagnostic procedures such as cholesterol screening and blood testing.
However, in order to fully appreciate how the definition of HEALTH differs from that of the quality of life, it would be important to define what it is for a healthy individual. This concept is based on the principle that all people have the rights to be fit and healthy. A healthy individual is capable of engaging in all of the activities necessary to survive. To put it simply, a healthy person is complete physically, mentally, and emotionally. A sick person is not fit and is unable to engage in productive activity. These are some of the ways by which we view the concept of HEALTH.
According to many researchers, one of the most crucial elements in determining health is the feeling-good factor. It has been found that if an individual feels good about themselves and has high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels, they are more likely to stay in good health. In fact, the feeling good is so strong that even when the individual experiences poor health, they are more likely to bounce back better than someone who is in better health.
Another way that the definition of HEALTH influences the definition of well being is through its relationship with the definition of disease. On the physiological level, it is important to note that individuals who are healthy are able to experience very low numbers of serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. However, the feeling good that comes from feeling fit and in good health is not limited to the realm of bodily health. The feeling good that comes from being fit and healthy includes promotion of a positive self-image and, subsequently, higher self-esteem. In fact, when it comes to self-esteem, research has proven that those who are very confident of themselves have a much higher chance of engaging in productive activity and, therefore, live longer than those who are not as confident.
The definition of health has been greatly influenced by the efforts of governmental organizations and public service agencies such as the American Heart Association as well as the United States Department of Health and Human Services. These groups want to promote a healthy lifestyle through programs such as the National Health Service Corps, which are designed to train people for careers in the public health arena. More recent programs, however, have drawn on the theory of structural determinants in order to define the term health. Structural determinants include the notion that there are social determinants, such as poverty and lack of social support, that can lead to unhealthy behaviors and a low overall health status.