Health is an important aspect of human life. It encompasses the mental and physical wellbeing of an individual, which can be achieved through a number of ways. People can improve their health by being physically active, eating healthy foods, avoiding harmful substances and maintaining positive social relationships. Health is also a key component of managing stress and preventing disease.
Historically, the definition of health has varied. The simplest definition is that health is the absence of disease and impairment. Other definitions include the ability to function and the capacity to cope with life. The World Health Organization has defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
While some people escape the second type of definition of health by living without disease or impairment, others struggle to overcome functional difficulties and are considered healthy. For example, a person who is allergic to peanuts might not experience any symptoms for several years after first ingesting the food. Eventually, however, he or she could suffer a reaction to the allergen and develop a range of symptoms from a mild rash to anaphylactic shock, coma and death.
A person’s health is determined by the environment in which he or she lives, works and plays. These factors, which are often referred to as the determinants of health, include economic and employment opportunities; access to education, healthcare services and clean water; housing and the quality of food in an area; social connections and support; and behaviours. They are also influenced by an individual’s genetic makeup, which can be both a risk factor and protective factor for health.
In order to achieve and maintain good health, individuals must be able to live harmoniously with their total environment, in which they will interact and adapt. A major task for governments is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach his or her highest level of health.
The determinants of health vary by country, and the factors that contribute to an individual’s well-being are complex. In many cases, it is impossible to determine what leads to one’s health and well-being; some of the factors are personal choices, while others are structural. In the United States, for example, there is a significant difference in health outcomes among different ethnic and socioeconomic groups. This is partially due to disparities in access to healthcare, which have implications for both quality of care and health outcomes. The country is working to improve these disparities, as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic funding and the investments proposed in the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill. Similarly, there are differences in the rates of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, between countries with similar economic status. This may be due to differences in the availability of preventive healthcare, medical treatment and behavioural interventions. The disparities in health between these countries can be addressed by increasing accessibility to these services and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.