What makes us healthy? Whether we are physically fit or mentally healthy, we all have our own ideas about what makes us healthy. While some people attribute their health to genetics and luck, the vast majority of Canadians place a high priority on lifestyle. Our diet, exercise routine, and stress levels are directly related to our health. Accordingly, our definition of health should be flexible. In a changing environment, how we define health is critical. The following are three common definitions of health.
Health is a fundamental human right. This is a human right recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the constitution, everyone has the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health, without regard to race, economic condition, political beliefs, or sexual orientation. Many nation states have endorsed this right in their constitutions. Thus, they are legally required to protect access to quality health, ensure its timely delivery, and make provision for the determinants of health.
The World Health Organization defines health as “complete physical and mental well-being, free from any disease or infirmity”. Although this definition may sound ideal, it’s unrealistic. People rarely experience ‘complete health’ throughout their lifetimes. Furthermore, the ‘complete health’ definition is counterproductive, since it fails to take into account chronic illnesses and disabilities, and contributes to our society’s overmedicalisation. Ultimately, health is the capacity to cope with life’s challenges.
The healthcare landscape is the entire range of healthcare goods and services, including health insurers, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, and group purchasing organizations. Other entities include health plans, corporate healthcare systems, and pharmacy benefit managers. In the past, each entity would have a distinct role in the patient’s care. Today, however, there is a complex landscape of health insurance. But, what is it, exactly? How do you make it work?
In a nutshell, health is a way of living and performing our daily tasks. We must take care of our bodies so that they can be productive and happy. We must prevent diseases and take steps to improve our health. Health is not merely physical; it includes mental and social well-being. By implementing a healthy diet, exercise regimen, and other lifestyle changes, we can ensure the longevity of our bodies. Our bodies need proper nutrition so that we can function normally.
Social determinants of health encompass economic, political, cultural, and environmental factors. All of these factors affect people’s health and contribute to health disparities. For example, people with poor nutrition are less likely to have access to health food stores, which increases their risk of developing diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. The more these determinants of health interact, the greater the health disparities. Fortunately, there are many solutions to these problems.