Health has been defined in a number of ways and can mean different things to different people. It can be a state of physical well-being that is free from disease, pain and injury. It can also be defined as the ability to meet personal, social and spiritual needs. Despite the many different definitions, one thing that all of them have in common is the belief that health is vital to a person’s life and survival.
There has been a shift in thinking about health over time, away from viewing it as merely the absence of disease to understanding its role as a dynamic process that involves a person’s ability to realize their aspirations and satisfy their needs, to adapt to their environment and to deal with adversity. This shift has been brought about by a number of factors, including the promotion of health by the WHO and other organisations, the development of a biopsychosocial model of health and a recognition of the importance of the social determinants of health.
The WHO constitution states that “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This has been further interpreted by numerous nation states who have incorporated the right to health in their constitutional documents. This right to health is based on the belief that a healthy society is a key requirement for peace and security.
Various definitions of health have been put forward, but the most widely accepted is that which was developed by the World Health Organization in 1948. This definition has been criticised by a number of individuals and professional bodies who argue that it is too medically focused, leaving out aspects of health such as psychological, social and environmental well-being.
Although there is no single definition of health, most healthcare professionals agree that a person’s health is determined by their biological, psychological and social environment. A person who lives in a comfortable, clean home with access to food, fresh water and good quality medicine is likely to be healthier than someone living in poverty, regardless of their genetic makeup.
Similarly, a person who has the financial resources to pay for treatment when they become ill is more likely to be healthy than someone who does not. This is especially true for those living in countries with universal healthcare. However, there are still disparities in the provision of health services between countries and within regions of a country. This has resulted in the formation of international agencies such as the WHO to work with governments and organisations to promote and protect the health of their citizens. The following articles highlight some of the issues surrounding the definition of health.