The New Definition of Health

Health is central to our ability to function in the world and to handle life’s stresses. It is a state of emotional, mental and physical well-being and is defined by the World Health Organization as a resource that supports people to live fully with meaning and purpose. However, health is complex. People may have different ideas of what it means to be healthy.

Many people define health as a condition of wholeness, not simply the absence of disease or symptoms. This definition has been influenced by chiropractic philosophy, which emphasizes a system of balance and the connection between all body systems. It has also been influenced by the field of human development, which considers that all parts of the person need to be healthy for optimal functioning. This approach focuses on creating environments, policies and practices that promote a sense of balance and adaptation to life circumstances.

In the twentieth century, the dominant view of health has been based on the medical model of sickness and disease. This perspective was promoted through the expansion of health care services and facilities, from well-baby clinics to national investments in biomedical research and hospitals. This model of health has emphasized the role of modern medicine in reducing death and disability from diseases and injuries through prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. However, it has failed to address the root causes of illness and injury. It has tended to overlook the social determinants of health such as housing, poverty, education, working conditions, and community and family support networks.

A recent article in The Lancet challenges the current paradigm and offers a new definition of health, one that moves beyond a negative conception of disease as an absence of pathology. The authors propose that health is “a dynamic process of the balance of personal and community resources to adapt to the realities of living and changing contexts.”

This more positive and comprehensive definition of health is a step forward from the 1948 World Health Organization founding constitution’s characterization of health as a state of “physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It acknowledges that individuals need to have access to healthy and affordable food, water, housing and transportation; safe and clean air; effective education; employment with career advancement opportunities; and a sense of belonging.

This new definition of health has implications for how we think about public policy and health care. For example, in a country with high rates of obesity and chronic health problems, policies that promote healthy eating habits, fitness, and education might have an impact on the overall health of the population. A healthful diet and lifestyle might also help reduce health care costs by lowering the incidence of preventable diseases and disorders. It is important to note that health policies that affect the entire community or region over extended periods of time are often more effective in changing behavior than a series of individual behavioral interventions.