Health is a complex concept that encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being. It’s also an idea that’s constantly evolving with new discoveries in medical research, technology, and our own understanding of how the body works. The definition of health has been influenced by changes in society, culture, and values. The underlying principles of health are universal, but how we think about health and how we prioritize it in our lives is a personal choice.
Historically, the prevailing view of health has been that it’s a state of being free from disease and infirmity. This definition has become the basis for many public health initiatives and regulations.
More recently, a new approach to health has emerged. It includes the social determinants of health, or the conditions in which people are born, live, work, and play that influence their level of health, quality of life, and risk of disease. These factors can include economic conditions, such as unemployment and lack of affordable housing, social ties with family and neighbors, education, the availability of healthy food, and access to adequate medical care.
The concept of health is so important to us that it’s included in the World Health Organization’s founding constitution, which states that “health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This shift towards a positive conception of health has been slow to catch on.
A key challenge is how to incorporate this new understanding of health into our daily lives. One way is to make it a priority, or at least place it higher on the list of our personal and community values. Another way is to promote health by actively working to remove diseases and diminish their effects, so that people can enjoy a high standard of living.
When composing an article about health, it’s important to consider the format for the piece — will it be a brief news story or an in-depth feature article? The type of publication matters because each audience will have different needs and goals. A general reader might want facts about a new scientific discovery, while a scientist will be interested in the details behind the study and the scientists who made it.
It’s also useful to keep an eye on the environment around you for trends in health-related issues, such as a rise in uninsured Americans or a spike in coronavirus cases. Watching for these trends can help you focus your ideas. Lastly, don’t be afraid to start over when your initial idea isn’t quite right for the piece. A little time spent refocusing the idea can result in a much stronger and more compelling final piece.