Health is the state of being free from disease or infirmity. It is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical, mental and social well-being.
However, we use the word “health” to refer to other things as well – healthy habits, the feeling of relief after being cured of an illness, or the sense of fulfillment in life that comes from having a satisfying job and meaningful relationships. This broader view of health is important because it is not only about the absence of disease but about the enjoyment of a life that is physically, mentally and socially complete.
As the science of medicine advances, the definition of health must also expand to include a more holistic approach. In this way, a person’s health can be viewed as an active process of living in harmony with their own and their community’s values. In addition to the medical factors that contribute to health, a person’s underlying genes are another key element. Often, genetic changes that occur during pregnancy or early childhood may increase the risk of developing certain conditions.
Another important factor that influences health is a person’s environment, including their financial situation, culture, and quality of life. In this regard, the “World Health Organization” defines health as “a state of being that enables people to live their lives to the fullest.”
The social determinants of health are largely responsible for the differences in health between individuals, groups and nations. A country’s ability to promote and protect its population’s health depends on the extent to which it addresses these issues. The most common measures of health include life expectancy at birth, mortality rate (see glossary), morbidity (see glossary) and DALYs (see glossary).
A person who is asymptomatic is considered healthy by the medical profession. Nonetheless, an individual who is considered healthy today may be found to have a disease or comorbidity by the next doctor because of better diagnostic tools. For this reason, some individuals are disappointed when they are told that their condition is not a serious one.
Despite the difficulty of defining health, many individuals are working to improve the global state of health. They are trying to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, improve access to quality health care, and reduce disparities in health status between different groups. Moreover, they are pushing for the inclusion of health as a fundamental human right in their constitutions and laws. In this way, they are making it possible for people to achieve a healthy life and to enjoy their most cherished human rights. This is a major step towards achieving the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals aim to reduce poverty and inequality, provide universal access to health care, and address the root causes of disease. This will help create a world where everyone can live in peace and prosperity. The future of health is in our hands. Let us join hands together and work for a world that is free of disease and inequalities.