What Is Health?

Health is the state of being physically, emotionally and socially well. It is a resource that supports individuals in pursuing their life goals and aspirations. The word health comes from the Old English helth, which means “wellness,” or “the state of being whole and sound.” Our ancestors understood that a person’s overall wellbeing is influenced by many different factors that interact with one another. It is also influenced by the choices people make. These factors include an individual’s environment, their lifestyle and their genetic makeup. Some of these factors are within the control of an individual, such as the choice to engage in a risky behavior that could lead to illness. Others are beyond the control of individuals, such as living in a place that makes it harder to access quality healthcare services.

Multiple definitions of health exist, ranging from a precise biomedical or physical definition (the absence of negative biologic circumstances such as altered DNA, abnormal physiologic states, disease, disability or death) to the World Health Organization’s broad definition: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The former definition offers advantages such as easy measurement and clarity of causal connections between medical and public health care systems. However, it risks assigning to the health system full responsibility for the economic and social well-being of members of society.

A growing number of individuals and communities recognize the need to address health in a more holistic manner. Consequently, health is increasingly being addressed by employers, community-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, local governmental bodies and community residents, even though these groups are not traditionally viewed as being involved in “health activities.” A new definition of health requires that all of these diverse sectors work together to achieve it.

Changing societal norms around health is challenging and complicated. For example, reducing the number of unintended pregnancies and other unhealthy behaviors among teenagers is an important health goal that involves efforts by parents, educators, the media and communities. Many of these goals require interventions that go beyond addressing specific diseases or behaviors and address the root causes of those problems.

Physical Health

The five pillars of healthy living are: (1) Nutrition; (2) Exercise; (3) Sleep; (4) Stress Management; and (5) Spirituality/Social Support. Each of these pillars includes many small steps that you can take to improve your health. The following checklists provide tips to help you make these small changes in your daily routine:

Dr. Moini believes that all of these pillars are interdependent. Achieving a balanced diet that focuses on lean proteins, good fats and whole grains can improve your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Getting adequate amounts of sleep and exercising regularly can increase your energy, reduce your risk for heart disease and diabetes, and boost your mood. Practicing mindfulness and having a spiritual practice can help you to manage your stress. Finally, making a commitment to be positive in your interactions with other people can decrease your risk for depression and other mental illnesses.