Health is a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses physical, emotional and social well-being. People living in a healthy state are physically free of diseases, emotionally happy and satisfied with their lives and have good social relations with others in society.
Various definitions of health have been used for different purposes over the years, but mainly it refers to a person’s state of being free from illness. However, this is a very limited definition because it does not take into account all aspects of health such as a person’s mental wellbeing.
The most popular definition of health is that of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 which defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This definition of health has become internationally accepted and is still being used today.
While this definition of health is an important milestone, it still doesn’t capture the full range of what makes someone healthy. Many researchers have tried to develop a more holistic definition of health but they have not been successful so far. The problem is that the concept of health is a very subjective one that means different things to different people.
It is also hard to define because it depends on a variety of factors, some of which are controllable by individuals and some that are not. For example, an individual who is exposed to an allergen may not experience a problem if he or she is exposed to it once in a while but will suffer from it if they are constantly exposed to it.
Some of these variables are controllable by individuals, such as choosing to exercise regularly or avoiding unhealthful activities like smoking. But some of them are beyond the control of individuals such as genetic disorders or environmental hazards.
There is an urgent need for a more complete and holistic definition of health that encompasses all aspects of a person’s life to ensure their well-being. This is because current efforts to promote health only focus on removing diseases and diminishing risk factors. This approach does not go far enough because it ignores the fact that health is a dynamic concept that requires active participation of individuals.
Ultimately, a more comprehensive definition of health will help individuals to live longer and healthier lives and make the world a better place for everyone. This will be achieved through an increase in the value of health in both personal and community scales of values, thus allowing people to make healthy choices. Moreover, it will allow the creation of a sustainable world that is free from the harmful effects of disease and inequity. This is the goal of the Zagreb Andrija Stampar School of Public Health.