Definition of the word health

Health, according to the World Health Organization, is «a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity».^[1] A variety of definitions have been used for different purposes over time. Health can be promoted by encouraging healthful activities, such as regular physical exercise and adequate sleep,^[2] and by reducing or avoiding unhealthful activities or situations, such as smoking or excessive stress. Some factors affecting health are due to individual choices, such as whether to engage in a high-risk behavior, while others are due to structural causes, such as whether the society is arranged in a way that makes it easier or harder for people to get necessary healthcare services. Still, other factors are beyond both individual and group choices, such as genetic disorders.

History

The meaning of health has evolved over time. In keeping with the biomedical perspective, early definitions of health focused on the theme of the body’s ability to function; health was seen as a state of normal function that could be disrupted from time to time by disease. An example of such a definition of health is: «a state characterized by anatomic, physiologic, and psychological integrity; ability to perform personally valued family, work, and community roles; ability to deal with physical, biological, psychological, and social stress».^[3] Then, in 1948, in a radical departure from previous definitions, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a definition that aimed higher, linking health to well-being, in terms of «physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity».^[4] Although this definition was welcomed by some as being innovative, it was also criticized for being vague and excessively broad and was not construed as measurable. For a long time, it was set aside as an impractical ideal, with most discussions of health returning to the practicality of the biomedical model.^[5]

Just as there was a shift from viewing disease as a state to thinking of it as a process, the same shift happened in definitions of health. Again, the WHO played a leading role when it fostered the development of the health promotion movement in the 1980s. This brought in a new conception of health, not as a state, but in dynamic terms of resiliency, in other words, as «a resource for living». In 1984, WHO revised the definition of health defined it as «the extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy needs and to change or cope with the environment. Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living; it is a positive concept, emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.»^[6] Thus, health referred to the ability to maintain homeostasis and recover from adverse events. Mental, intellectual, emotional and social health referred to a person’s ability to handle stress, to acquire skills, to maintain relationships, all of which form resources for resiliency and independent living.^[5] This opens up many possibilities for health to be taught, strengthened and learned.

Since the late 1970s, the federal Healthy People Program has been a visible component of the United States’ approach to improving population health.^[7][8] In each decade, a new version of Healthy People is issued,^[9] featuring updated goals and identifying topic areas and quantifiable objectives for health improvement during the succeeding ten years, with assessment at that point of progress or lack thereof. Progress has been limited to many objectives, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of Healthy People in shaping outcomes in the context of a decentralized and uncoordinated US health system. Healthy People 2020 gives more prominence to health promotion and preventive approaches and adds a substantive focus on the importance of addressing social determinants of health. A new expanded digital interface facilitates use and dissemination rather than bulky printed books as produced in the past. The impact of these changes to Healthy People will be determined in the coming years.^[10]

Systematic activities to prevent or cure health problems and promote good health in humans are undertaken by health care providers. Applications with regard to animal health are covered by the veterinary sciences. The term «healthy» is also widely used in the context of many types of non-living organizations and their impacts for the benefit of humans, such as in the sense of healthy communities, healthy cities or healthy environments. In addition to health care interventions and a person’s surroundings, a number of other factors are known to influence the health status of individuals. These are referred to as the «determinants of health», which include the individual’s background, lifestyle, economic status, social conditions and spirituality; Studies have shown that high levels of stress can affect human health.^[11]

In the first decade of the 21st century, the conceptualization of health as an ability opened the door for self-assessments to become the main indicators to judge the performance of efforts aimed at improving human health.^[12] It also created the opportunity for every person to feel healthy, even in the presence of multiple chronic diseases or a terminal condition, and for the re-examination of determinants of health (away from the traditional approach that focuses on the reduction of the prevalence of diseases).^[13]

Determinants

In general, the context in which an individual lives is of great importance for both his health status and quality of life. It is increasingly recognized that health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and application of health science, but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the individual and society. According to the World Health Organization, the main determinants of health include the social and economic environment, the physical environment, and the person’s individual characteristics and behaviors.^[14]

More specifically, key factors that have been found to influence whether people are healthy or unhealthy include the following:^[14][15][16]

An increasing number of studies and reports from different organizations and contexts examine the linkages between health and different factors, including lifestyles, environments, health care organization and health policy, one specific health policy brought into many countries in recent years was the introduction of the sugar tax. Beverage taxes came into light with increasing concerns about obesity, particularly among youth. Sugar-sweetened beverages have become a target of anti-obesity initiatives with increasing evidence of their link to obesity.^[17]– such as the 1974 Lalonde report from Canada;^[16] the Alameda County Study in California;^[18] and the series of World Health Reports of the World Health Organization, which focuses on global health issues including access to health care and improving public health outcomes, especially in developing countries.^[19]

The concept of the «health field,» as distinct from medical care, emerged from the Lalonde report from Canada. The report identified three interdependent fields as key determinants of an individual’s health. These are:^[16]

• Biomedical: all aspects of health, physical and mental, developed within the human body as influenced by genetic make-up.
• Environmental: all matters related to health external to the human body and over which the individual has little or no control;
• Lifestyle: the aggregation of personal decisions (i.e., over which the individual has control) that can be said to contribute to, or cause, illness or death;

The maintenance and promotion of health is achieved through different combination of physical, mental, and social well-being—a combination sometimes referred to as the «health triangle.»^[20][21] The WHO’s 1986 Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion further stated that health is not just a state, but also «a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.»^[22]

Focusing more on lifestyle issues and their relationships with functional health, data from the Alameda County Study suggested that people can improve their health via exercise, enough sleep, spending time in nature, maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol use, and avoiding smoking.^[23] Health and illness can co-exist, as even people with multiple chronic diseases or terminal illnesses can consider themselves healthy.^[24]

The environment is often cited as an important factor influencing the health status of individuals. This includes characteristics of the natural environment, the built environment and the social environment. Factors such as clean water and air, adequate housing, and safe communities and roads all have been found to contribute to good health, especially to the health of infants and children.^[14][25] Some studies have shown that a lack of neighborhood recreational spaces including natural environment leads to lower levels of personal satisfaction and higher levels of obesity, linked to lower overall health and well-being.^[26] It has been demonstrated that increased time spent in natural environments is associated with improved self-reported health,^[27] suggesting that the positive health benefits of natural space in urban neighborhoods should be taken into account in public policy and land use.

Genetics, or inherited traits from parents, also play a role in determining the health status of individuals and populations. This can encompass both the predisposition to certain diseases and health conditions, as well as the habits and behaviors individuals develop through the lifestyle of their families. For example, genetics may play a role in the manner in which people cope with stress, either mental, emotional or physical. For example, obesity is a significant problem in the United States that contributes to poor mental health and causes stress in the lives of many people.^[28] One difficulty is the issue raised by the debate over the relative strengths of genetics and other factors; interactions between genetics and environment may be of particular importance.

Potential issues

A number of health issues are common around the globe. Disease is one of the most common. According to GlobalIssues.org, approximately 36 million people die each year from non-communicable (i.e., not contagious) diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease.^[29]

Among communicable diseases, both viral and bacterial, AIDS/HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria are the most common, causing millions of deaths every year.^[29]

Another health issue that causes death or contributes to other health problems is malnutrition, especially among children. One of the groups malnutrition affects most is young children. Approximately 7.5 million children under the age of 5 die from malnutrition, usually brought on by not having the money to find or make food.^[29]

Bodily injuries are also a common health issue worldwide. These injuries, including bone fractures and burns, can reduce a person’s quality of life or can cause fatalities including infections that resulted from the injury (or the severity injury in general).^[30][29]

Lifestyle choices are contributing factors to poor health in many cases. These include smoking cigarettes, and can also include a poor diet, whether it is overeating or an overly constrictive diet. Inactivity can also contribute to health issues and also a lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and neglect of oral hygiene.^[30] There are also genetic disorders that are inherited by the person and can vary in how much they affect the person (and when they surface).^[30]

Although the majority of these health issues are preventable, a major contributor to global ill health is the fact that approximately 1 billion people lack access to health care systems.^[29] Arguably, the most common and harmful health issue is that a great many people do not have access to quality remedies.^[31][32]

Mental health

The World Health Organization describes mental health as «a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community».^[33] Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness.^[34]

Mental illness is described as ‘the spectrum of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral conditions that interfere with social and emotional well-being and the lives and productivity of people. Having a mental illness can seriously impair, temporarily or permanently, the mental functioning of a person. Other terms include: ‘mental health problem’, ‘illness’, ‘disorder’, ‘dysfunction’.^[35]

Approximately twenty percent of all adults in the US are considered diagnosable with a mental illness. Mental illnesses are the leading cause of disability in the US and Canada. Examples of these illnesses include schizophrenia, ADHD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and autism.^[36]

 Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:^[37]

• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Family history of mental health problems
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse

Maintaining

Achieving and maintaining health is an ongoing process, shaped by both the evolution of health care knowledge and practices as well as personal strategies and organized interventions for staying healthy.

Diet

An important way to maintain one’s personal health is to have a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods that provide nutrients to the body. Such nutrients provide the body with energy and keep it running. Nutrients help build and strengthen bones, muscles, and tendons and also regulate body processes (i.e., blood pressure). Water is essential for growth, reproduction and good health. Macronutrients are consumed in relatively large quantities and include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and fatty acids. Micronutrients – vitamins and minerals – are consumed in relatively smaller quantities, but are essential to body processes.^[41] The food guide pyramid is a pyramid-shaped guide of healthy foods divided into sections. Each section shows the recommended intake for each food group (i.e., protein, fat, carbohydrates and sugars). Making healthy food choices can lower one’s risk of heart disease and the risk of developing some types of cancer, and can help one maintain their weight within a healthy range.^[42]

The Mediterranean diet is commonly associated with health-promoting effects. This is sometimes attributed to the inclusion of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, isoprenoids and alkaloids.^[43]

Exercise

Physical exercise enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It strengthens one’s bones and muscles and improves the cardiovascular system. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are four types of exercise: endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance.^[44] The CDC states that physical exercise can reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, depression, and anxiety.^[45] For the purpose of counteracting possible risks, it is often recommended to start physical exercise gradually as one goes. Participating in any exercising, whether it is housework, yardwork, walking or standing up when talking on the phone, is often thought to be better than none when it comes to health.^[46]

Sleep

Sleep is an essential component to maintaining health. In children, sleep is also vital for growth and development. Ongoing sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk for some chronic health problems. In addition, sleep deprivation has been shown to correlate with both increased susceptibility to illness and slower recovery times from illness.^[47] In one study, people with chronic insufficient sleep, set as six hours of sleep a night or less, were found to be four times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who reported sleeping for seven hours or more a night.^[48] Due to the role of sleep in regulating metabolism, insufficient sleep may also play a role in weight gain or, conversely, in impeding weight loss.^[49] Additionally, in 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is the cancer research agency for the World Health Organization, declared that «shiftwork that involves circadian disruption is probably carcinogenic to humans,» speaking to the dangers of long-term nighttime work due to its intrusion on sleep.^[50] In 2015, the National Sleep Foundation released updated recommendations for sleep duration requirements based on age, and concluded that «Individuals who habitually sleep outside the normal range may be exhibiting signs or symptoms of serious health problems or, if done volitionally, may be compromising their health and well-being.»^[51]

Age and condition	Sleep Needs
Newborns (0–3 months)	14 to 17 hours
Infants (4–11 months)	12 to 15 hours
Toddlers (1–2 years)	11 to 14 hours
Preschoolers (3–5 years)	10 to 13 hours
School-age children (6–13 years)	9 to 11 hours
Teenagers (14–17 years)	8 to 10 hours
Adults (18–64 years)	7 to 9 hours
Older Adults (65 years and over)	7 to 8 hours

Role of science

Health science is the branch of science focused on health. There are two main approaches to health science: the study and research of the body and health-related issues to understand how humans (and animals) function, and the application of that knowledge to improve health and to prevent and cure diseases and other physical and mental impairments. The science builds on many sub-fields, including biology, biochemistry, physics, epidemiology, pharmacology, medical sociology. Applied health sciences endeavor to better understand and improve human health through applications in areas such as health education, biomedical engineering, biotechnology and public health.

Organized interventions to improve health based on the principles and procedures developed through the health sciences are provided by practitioners trained in medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other health care professions. Clinical practitioners focus mainly on the health of individuals, while public health practitioners consider the overall health of communities and populations. Workplace wellness programs are increasingly being adopted by companies for their value in improving the health and well-being of their employees, as are school health services to improve the health and well-being of children.

Role of medicine and medical science

Contemporary medicine is in general conducted within health care systems. Legal, credentialing and financing frameworks are established by individual governments, augmented on occasion by international organizations, such as churches. The characteristics of any given health care system have significant impact on the way medical care is provided.

From ancient times, Christian emphasis on practical charity gave rise to the development of systematic nursing and hospitals and the Catholic Church today remains the largest non-government provider of medical services in the world.^[52] Advanced industrial countries (with the exception of the United States)^[53][54] and many developing countries provide medical services through a system of universal health care that aims to guarantee care for all through a single-payer health care system, or compulsory private or co-operative health insurance. This is intended to ensure that the entire population has access to medical care on the basis of need rather than ability to pay. Delivery may be via private medical practices or by state-owned hospitals and clinics, or by charities, most commonly by a combination of all three.

Most tribal societies provide no guarantee of healthcare for the population as a whole. In such societies, healthcare is available to those that can afford to pay for it or have self-insured it (either directly or as part of an employment contract) or who may be covered by care financed by the government or tribe directly.

Transparency of information is another factor defining a delivery system. Access to information on conditions, treatments, quality, and pricing greatly affects the choice by patients/consumers and, therefore, the incentives of medical professionals. While the US healthcare system has come under fire for lack of openness,^[55] new legislation may encourage greater openness. There is a perceived tension between the need for transparency on the one hand and such issues as patient confidentiality and the possible exploitation of information for commercial gain on the other.

Delivery

Provision of medical care is classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary care categories.^[56]

Primary care medical services are provided by physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or other health professionals who have first contact with a patient seeking medical treatment or care.^[57] These occur in physician offices, clinics, nursing homes, schools, home visits, and other places close to patients. About 90% of medical visits can be treated by the primary care provider. These include treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes.

Secondary care medical services are provided by medical specialists in their offices or clinics or at local community hospitals for a patient referred by a primary care provider who first diagnosed or treated the patient.^[58] Referrals are made for those patients who required the expertise or procedures performed by specialists. These include both ambulatory care and inpatient services, Emergency departments, intensive care medicine, surgery services, physical therapy, labor and delivery, endoscopy units, diagnostic laboratory and medical imaging services, hospice centers, etc. Some primary care providers may also take care of hospitalized patients and deliver babies in a secondary care setting.

Tertiary care medical services are provided by specialist hospitals or regional centers equipped with diagnostic and treatment facilities not generally available at local hospitals. These include trauma centers, burn treatment centers, advanced neonatology unit services, organ transplants, high-risk pregnancy, radiation oncology, etc.

Modern medical care also depends on information – still delivered in many health care settings on paper records, but increasingly nowadays by electronic means.

In low-income countries, modern healthcare is often too expensive for the average person. International healthcare policy researchers have advocated that «user fees» be removed in these areas to ensure access, although even after removal, significant costs and barriers remain.^[59]

Separation of prescribing and dispensing is a practice in medicine and pharmacy in which the physician who provides a medical prescription is independent from the pharmacist who provides the prescription drug. In the Western world there are centuries of tradition for separating pharmacists from physicians. In Asian countries, it is traditional for physicians to also provide drugs.^[60]

Role of public health

Public health has been described as «the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.»^[61] It is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on population health analysis. The population in question can be as small as a handful of people or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents (for instance, in the case of a pandemic). Public health has many sub-fields, but typically includes the interdisciplinary categories of epidemiology, biostatistics and health services. environmental health, community health, behavioral health, and occupational health are also important areas of public health.

The focus of public health interventions is to prevent and manage diseases, injuries and other health conditions through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behavior, communities, and (in aspects relevant to human health) environments. Its aim is to prevent health problems from happening or re-occurring by implementing educational programs, developing policies, administering services and conducting research.^[62] In many cases, treating a disease or controlling a pathogen can be vital to preventing it in others, such as during an outbreak. Vaccination programs and distribution of condoms to prevent the spread of communicable diseases are examples of common preventive public health measures, as are educational campaigns to promote vaccination and the use of condoms (including overcoming resistance to such).

Public health also takes various actions to limit the health disparities between different areas of the country and, in some cases, the continent or world. One issue is the access of individuals and communities to health care in terms of financial, geographical or socio-cultural constraints.^[63] Applications of the public health system include the areas of maternal and child health, health services administration, emergency response, and prevention and control of infectious and chronic diseases.

The great positive impact of public health programs is widely acknowledged. Due in part to the policies and actions developed through public health, the 20th century registered a decrease in the mortality rates for infants and children and a continual increase in life expectancy in most parts of the world. For example, it is estimated that life expectancy has increased for Americans by thirty years since 1900,^[64] and worldwide by six years since 1990.^[65]

Self-care strategies

Personal health depends partially on the active, passive, and assisted cues people observe and adopt about their own health. These include personal actions for preventing or minimizing the effects of a disease, usually a chronic condition, through integrative care. They also include personal hygiene practices to prevent infection and illness, such as bathing and washing hands with soap; brushing and flossing teeth; storing, preparing and handling food safely; and many others. The information gleaned from personal observations of daily living – such as about sleep patterns, exercise behavior, nutritional intake and environmental features – may be used to inform personal decisions and actions (e.g., «I feel tired in the morning so I am going to try sleeping on a different pillow»), as well as clinical decisions and treatment plans (e.g., a patient who notices his or her shoes are tighter than usual may be having exacerbation of left-sided heart failure, and may require diuretic medication to reduce fluid overload).^[66]

Personal health also depends partially on the social structure of a person’s life. The maintenance of strong social relationships, volunteering, and other social activities have been linked to positive mental health and also increased longevity. One American study among seniors over age 70, found that frequent volunteering was associated with reduced risk of dying compared with older persons who did not volunteer, regardless of physical health status.^[67] Another study from Singapore reported that volunteering retirees had significantly better cognitive performance scores, fewer depressive symptoms, and better mental well-being and life satisfaction than non-volunteering retirees.^[68]

Prolonged psychological stress may negatively impact health, and has been cited as a factor in cognitive impairment with aging, depressive illness, and expression of disease.^[69] Stress management is the application of methods to either reduce stress or increase tolerance to stress. Relaxation techniques are physical methods used to relieve stress. Psychological methods include cognitive therapy, meditation, and positive thinking, which work by reducing response to stress. Improving relevant skills, such as problem solving and time management skills, reduces uncertainty and builds confidence, which also reduces the reaction to stress-causing situations where those skills are applicable.

Occupational

In addition to safety risks, many jobs also present risks of disease, illness and other long-term health problems. Among the most common occupational diseases are various forms of pneumoconiosis, including silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (black lung disease). Asthma is another respiratory illness that many workers are vulnerable to. Workers may also be vulnerable to skin diseases, including eczema, dermatitis, urticaria, sunburn, and skin cancer.^[70][71] Other occupational diseases of concern include carpal tunnel syndrome and lead poisoning.

As the number of service sector jobs has risen in developed countries, more and more jobs have become sedentary, presenting a different array of health problems than those associated with manufacturing and the primary sector. Contemporary problems, such as the growing rate of obesity and issues relating to stress and overwork in many countries, have further complicated the interaction between work and health.

Many governments view occupational health as a social challenge and have formed public organizations to ensure the health and safety of workers. Examples of these include the British Health and Safety Executive and in the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which conducts research on occupational health and safety, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which handles regulation and policy relating to worker safety and health.^[72][73][74]

See also

References

External links

• Media related to Health at Wikimedia Commons

Last Updated:
7 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

Health is a term that refers to a combination of the absence of illness, the ability to manage stress effectively, good nutrition and physical fitness, and high quality of life.

In any organism, health can be said to be a «state of balance,» or analogous to homeostasis, and it also implies good prospects for continued survival.

A widely accepted definition is that of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations body that sets standards and provides global surveillance of disease. In its constitution, the WHO states that «health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.» In more recent years, this statement has been modified to include the ability to lead a «socially and economically productive life.»

The WHO definition is not without criticism, as some argue that health cannot be defined as a state at all, but must be seen as a process of continuous adjustment to the changing demands of living and of the changing meanings we give to life. The WHO definition is therefore considered by many as an idealistic goal rather than a realistic proposition.

Beginning in the 1950s with Halbert L. Dunn, and continuing in the 1970s with Donald B. Ardell, John Travis, Robert Allen and others, optimal health was given a broader, more inclusive interpretation called «wellness.»

Health is often monitored and sometimes maintained through the science of medicine, but can also be improved by individual health and wellness efforts, such as physical fitness, good nutrition, stress management, and good human relationships. Personal and social responsibility (those with means helping those without means) are fundamental contributors to maintenance of good health.
(See health maintenance below).

In addition to the focus on individual choices and lifestyles related to health, other key areas of health include environmental health, mental health, population health, and public health.

Wellness

According to Dr. Donald B. Ardell, author of the best seller “High Level Wellness: An Alternative To Doctors, Drugs and Disease” (1986) and publisher of the Ardell Wellness Report, “wellness is first and foremost a choice to assume responsibility for the quality of your life. It begins with a conscious decision to shape a healthy lifestyle. Wellness is a mindset, a predisposition to adopt a series of key principles in varied life areas that lead to high levels of well-being and life satisfaction.”

Many wellness promoters like Ardell see wellness as a philosophy that embraces many principles for good health. The areas most closely affected by one’s wellness commitments include self-responsibility, exercise and fitness, nutrition, stress management, critical thinking, meaning and purpose or spirituality, emotional intelligence, humor and play, and effective relationships.

Health maintenance

Physical fitness, healthy eating, stress management, a healthy environment, enjoyable work, and good human relationship skills are examples of steps to improve one’s health and wellness.

Physical fitness has been shown to reduce the risk of dying prematurely, developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer. It has also been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, control weight, and help improve overall psychological well-being.

Healthy eating has been linked to the prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially cancer, heart disease, hypoglycemia, and diabetes. Overall, people with healthy eating habits feel better, keep up strength and energy, manage weight, tolerate treatment-related side effects, decrease the risk of infection, and heal and recover more quickly. Studies have also shown a correlation between persons with a hypoglycemia and crime. For persons with adult onset diabetes, in some cases healthy eating can reduce or eliminate the need for insulin.

Researchers have long known that stress management can help people reduce tension, anxiety, and depression, as well as help people cope with life challenges more effectively. Stress management can also assist persons in having more satisfying human relationships, job satisfaction and a sense of life purpose. Duke University Medical Center researchers have recently found that stress may also provide cardiovascular health as well.

A good environment that has clean and safe drinking water, clean air, is relatively free of toxic elements, and not overcrowded, can increase life expectancy significantly. Environmental Health is becoming an increasingly important consideration for causes of premature death.

Wellness workplace programs are recognized by an increasingly large number of companies for their value in improving health and well-being of their employees, and increasing morale, loyalty, and productivity at work. A company may provide a gym with exercise equipment, start smoking cessation programs, and provide nutrition, weight, or stress management training. Other programs may include health risk assessments, safety and accident prevention, and health screenings. Some workplaces are working together to promote entire healthy communities. One example is through the Wellness Council of America.^[1]

Environmental health

Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations^[2]

Environmental health, as used by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, includes both the direct pathological effects of chemicals, radiation, and some biological agents, and the effects (often indirect) on health and wellbeing of the broad physical, psychological, social, and aesthetic environment, which includes housing, urban development, land use, and transport.

Nutrition, soil contamination, water pollution, air pollution, light pollution, waste control, and public health are integral aspects of environmental health.

In the United States, the Center for Disease Control Environmental Health programs include: air quality, bioterrorism, environmental hazards and exposure, food safety, hazardous substances, herbicides, hydrocarbons, lead, natural disasters, pesticides, smoking and tobacco use, water quality, and urban planning for healthy places.^[3]

While lifestyles have been by far the leading factor in premature deaths, environmental factors is the second leading cause and has been increasing in its importance for health over the past several decades.

Environmental health services are defined by the World Health Organization as:

those services that implement environmental health policies through monitoring and control activities. They also carry out that role by promoting the improvement of environmental parameters and by encouraging the use of environmentally friendly and healthy technologies and behaviors. They also have a leading role in developing and suggesting new policy areas.

The Environmental Health profession had its modern-day roots in the sanitary and public health movement of the United Kingdom. This was epitomized by Sir Edwin Chadwick, who was instrumental in the repeal of the poor laws and was the founding president of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Mental health

Mental health is a concept that refers to a human individual’s emotional and psychological well-being. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mental health as «A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life.»

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no one «official» definition of mental health:

Mental health has been defined variously by scholars from different cultures. Concepts of mental health include subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potential, among others. From a cross-cultural perspective, it is nearly impossible to define mental health comprehensively. It is, however, generally agreed that mental health is broader than a lack of mental disorders.^[4]

Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how «mental health» is defined. In general, most experts agree that «mental health» and «mental illness» are not opposites. In other words, the absence of a recognized mental disorder is not necessarily an indicator of mental health.

One way to think about mental health is by looking at how effectively and successfully a person functions. Feeling capable and competent, being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintaining satisfying relationships, leading an independent life, and being able to «bounce back,» or recover from difficult situations are all signs of mental health.

Mental health, as defined by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, «refers to the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.»

Some experts consider mental health as a continuum with the other end of the continuum being mental disorders. Thus, an individual’s mental health may have many different possible values. Mental wellness is generally viewed as a positive attribute, such that a person can reach enhanced levels of mental health, even if they do not have any diagnosable mental illness. This definition of mental health highlights emotional well being as the capacity to live a full and creative life, with the flexibility to deal with life’s inevitable challenges. Some mental health experts and health and wellness promoters are now identifying the capability for critical thinking as a key attribute of mental health as well. Many therapeutic systems and self-help books offer methods and philosophies espousing presumably effective strategies and techniques for further improving the mental wellness of otherwise healthy people.

Population health

Population health is an approach to health that aims to improve the health of an entire population. One major step in achieving this aim is to reduce health inequities among population groups. Population health seeks to step beyond the individual-level focus of mainstream medicine and public health by addressing a broad range of factors that impact health on a population-level, such as environment, social structure, resource distribution, and so forth.

Population health reflects a shift in thinking about health as it is usually defined. Population health recognizes that health is a resource and a potential as opposed to a static state. It includes the potential to pursue one’s goals to acquire skills and education and to grow.

An important theme in population health is importance of social determinants of health and the relatively minor impact that medicine and healthcare have on improving health overall. From a population health perspective, health has been defined not simply as a state free from disease but as «the capacity of people to adapt to, respond to, or control life’s challenges and changes.»^[5]

Recently, there has been increasing interest from epidemiologists on the subject of economic inequality and its relation to the health of populations. There is a very robust correlation between socioeconomic status and health. This correlation suggests that it is not only the poor who tend to be sick when everyone else is healthy, but that there is a continual gradient, from the top to the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder, relating status to health. This phenomenon is often called the «SES Gradient.» Lower socioeconomic status has been linked to chronic stress, heart disease, ulcers, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, certain types of cancer, and premature aging.

Population health parameters indicate, for example, that the economic inequality within the United States is a factor that explains why the United States ranks only 30th in life expectancy, right behind Cuba. which is 29th. All 29 countries that rank better than the United States have a much smaller gap of income distribution between their richest and poorest citizens.

Despite the reality of the SES Gradient, there is debate as to its cause. A number of researchers (A. Leigh, C. Jencks, A. Clarkwest) see a definite link between economic status and mortality due to the greater economic resources of the better-off, but they find little correlation due to social status differences. Other researchers (such as R. Wilkinson, J. Lynch, and G. A. Kaplan) have found that socioeconomic status strongly affects health even when controlling for economic resources and access to health care.

Most famous for linking social status with health are the Whitehall studies—a series of studies conducted on civil servants in London. The studies found that, despite the fact that all civil servants in England have the same access to health care, there was a strong correlation between social status and health. The studies found that this relationship stayed strong even when controlling for health-effecting habits such as exercise, smoking, and drinking. Furthermore, it has been noted that no amount of medical attention will help decrease the likelihood of someone getting type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis—yet both are more common among populations with lower socioeconomic status. Lastly, it has been found that among the wealthiest quarter of countries on earth (a set stretching from Luxembourg to Slovakia), there is no relation between a country’s wealth and general population health, suggesting that past a certain level, absolute levels of wealth have little impact on population health, but relative levels within a country do.^[6]

The concept of psychosocial stress attempts to explain how psychosocial phenomenon such as status and social stratification can lead to the many diseases associated with the SES Gradient. Higher levels of economic inequality tend to intensify social hierarchies and generally degrades the quality of social relations, leading to greater levels of stress and stress related diseases. Wilkinson found this to be true not only for the poorest members of society, but also for the wealthiest. Economic inequality is bad for everyone’s health.

Inequality does not affect only the health of human populations. D. H. Abbott at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center found that among many primate species, those with less egalitarian social structures correlated with higher levels of stress hormones among socially subordinate individuals. Research by R. Sapolsky of Stanford University provides similar findings.

Public health

Public health is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on population health analysis.

The size of the population in question can be limited to a dozen or less individuals, or, in the case of a pandemic, whole continents. Public health has many sub-fields, but is typically divided into the categories of epidemiology, biostatistics, and health services. Environmental, social and behavioral health, and occupational health are also important fields in public health.

The focus of a public health intervention is to prevent, rather than treat a disease, through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behaviors. In addition to these activities, in many cases treating a disease can be vital to preventing it in others, such as during an outbreak of an infectious disease such as HIV/AIDS. Vaccination programs, distribution of condoms, and promotion of abstinence or fidelity in marriage are examples of public health measures advanced in various countries.

Many countries have their own government agencies, sometimes known as ministries of health, to respond to domestic health issues. In the United States, the frontline of public health initiatives are state and local health departments. The Surgeon General-led United States Public Health Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, although based in the United States, are also involved with several international health issues in addition to their national duties.

All of the areas of health, including individual health and wellness, environmental health, mental health, population health, and public health now need to be viewed in a global context. In a global society, the health of every human being is relevant to the health of each one of us. For example, a disease outbreak in one part of the world can quickly travel to other regions and continents, via international travel, creating a global problem.

Global health requires that the world’s citizens collaborate to improve all types of health in all nations, rich or poor, and seek to prevent, reduce, and stop disease outbreaks at their source.

Notes

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Ardell, D.B. The History and Future of Wellness. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt, 1983.
• Ardell, D.B. High Level Wellness: An Alternative to Doctors, Drugs and Disease. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 1986.
• Ardell, D.B. The Book of Wellness: A Secular Approach to Spirituality, Meaning & Purpose. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1996.
• Breslow, L. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Public Health. Macmillan Reference, 2002.
• Chin, J.B. (ed.). Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th Edition. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2000. ISBN 0875531822.
• Frankish, C.J., et al. Health Impact Assessment as a Tool for Population Health Promotion and Public Policy. University of British Columbia, Vancouver: Institute of Health Promotion Research, 1996.
• Ryan, R.S., and J. Travis. Wellness: Small Changes You Can Use to Make a Big Difference. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 1991.
• Wilkinson, R., and M. Marmot. The Solid Facts: Social Determinants of Health. World Health Organization, 2003.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Constitution, World Health Organization, October 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Health for All Series, No.1 and No. 2. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1979.

External links

All links retrieved March 18, 2020.

• World Health Organization
• National Center for Health Statistics (USA)
• National Institutes of Health (USA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA)

1	0   0 As officially defined by the World Health Organization, a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

2	0   0 Health The care and treatment of children. Child health is the purview of pediatrics, which became a medical specialty in the mid-nineteenth century. Before that time the care and treatment of childhood diseases were included within such areas as general medicine, obstetrics, and midwifery.

3	0   0 Health A branch of public health concerned with the health and well-being of workers. Its aims are to eliminate hazards and reduce industrial fatigue in the workplace.

4

0   0 Health The approach to medicine that is concerned with the health of the community as a whole. Public health is community health. It has been said that: «Health care is vital to all of us some of the time, but public health is vital to all of us all of the time.» The mission of public health is to «fulfill society’s interest in assurin [..]

5	0   0 Health See: Artic health.

6	0   0 Health hazard Any factor or exposure that may adversely affect health.

7	0   0 Health surveillance Periodic medico-physiological examinations of exposed workers with the objective of protecting health and preventing occupationally related disease.

8	0   0 Health  A general condition of soundness and vigor of body and mind; not simply the absence of illness or injury.

9	0   0 Health Santé

10	0   0 Health A state of being in which all body parts function as they should

11	0   0 Health A human condition with physical, social and psychological dimensions, each characterized on a continuum with positive and negative poles. Positive health is associated with a capacity to enjoy life an [..]

12	0   0 Health Old English hælþ «wholeness, a being whole, sound or well,» from Proto-Germanic *hailitho, from PIE *kailo- «whole, uninjured, of good omen» (source also of Old English hal » [..]

13	0   0 Health condition of an organism’s body and mind.

14	0   0 Health State of well-being of an organism or part of one, characterized by normal function and unattended by disease. IDMB.

15	0   0 Health Term relating to whether the body (which includes the mind) is in a well or ill state. With good health the state of the body and mind are such that a person feels and functions well, and can continue to do so for as long as possible.

16	0   0 Health a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease; "physicians should be held responsible for the health of their patients" the general condition of body and mind; &quot [..]

17	0   0 Health Department of Health and Ageing

18	0   0 Health Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

19	0   0 Health A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

20	0   0 Health how you body feels. You have good health when you are not ill

21	0   0 Health Faculty of Health

22

0   0 Health Deakin offers a range of services to help students and staff stay healthy, safe and promote personal wellbeing physically, mentally and spiritually. Services include medical centres, multi-faith chaplains, counselling, disability support, safer community, physiotherapy, sport and recreation and student advocacy.nnFind out more at DeakinSync under [..]

23	0   0 Health gezunt

24	0   0 Health Health is a broad term that refers not only to the lack of illness or injury in a person but also to a person’s general soundness and vigor. Health can be referred to as either good or bad, with [..]

25	0   0 Health The Administration on Aging’s Health, Prevention, and Wellness Program enables participants to modify existing health self-management behaviors through group interaction and reinforcement. Through c [..]

26	0   0 Health The federal and state governments are the largest payors of health care services in the United States. The largest federal programs are Medicare and Medicaid. It has often been said that Medicare is t [..]

27	0   0 Health (n) the general condition of body and mind(n) a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

28	0   0 Health   The state of well being in body and mind.

29	0   0 Health Timeline Time Machine Atmosphere Impacts Recent Impacts Late Pleistocene Impact Origin of Carolina Bays Impact Experiments Chondrites Aïr Massif Mare Moscoviense Lunar Maria Moon Map Geology Glossary Evolution Human evolution Future evolution Tree of Life Dinosaur Classification

30	0   0 Health Your health. The story is that Vortigern was invited to dine at the house of Hengist, when Rowe’na, the host’s daughter, brought a cup of wine which she presented to their royal gues [..]

31

0   0 Health Plan participants obtain comprehensive health care services from a specified list of in-network providers who receive a fixed periodic prepayment from the insurer. Plan participants’ access to in-network providers is controlled by a primary-care physician or gatekeeper. HMO’s typically do not have a deductible.

32

0   0 Health Physical or mental impairment, disability, condition or disorder (including substance abuse or dependence), that detrimentally affects or is likely to detrimentally affect a registered health practitioner’s capacity to safely practise the profession or a student’s capacity to undertake clinical training.

33	0   0 Health

34	0   0 Health Equipment status

35	0   0 Health Being able to function normally within a usual everyday routine.

36	0   0 Health A person’s mental or physical well-being.

37	0   0 Health A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1978b).

38	0   0 Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (Gebel et al, 2005, p8).

39	0   0 Health Public Attitudes toward Health, Disease, and the medical care system.

40	0   0 Health The Science of controlling or modifying those conditions, influences, or forces surrounding man which relate to promoting, establishing, and maintaining Health.

41	0   0 Health The Health Status of the Family as a unit including the impact of the Health of one member of the Family on the Family as a unit and on individual Family members; also, the impact of Family Organizati [..]

42	0   0 Health The concept covering the physical and mental conditions of men.

43	0   0 Health The state wherein the Person is well adjusted.

44	0   0 Health The concept covering the physical and mental conditions of members of Minority Groups.

45	0   0 Health Health Services supported by remote or mobile devices.

46	0   0 Health The promotion and Maintenance of physical and Mental Health in the Work Environment.

47	0   0 Health The optimal state of the Mouth and normal functioning of the organs of the Mouth without evidence of Disease.

48	0   0 Health Branch of Medicine concerned with the prevention and control of Disease and disability, and the promotion of physical and Mental Health of the Population on the international, national, state, or muni [..]

49	0   0 Health Health concerns associated with the effects of Radiation on the Environment and on public and personal Health.

50	0   0 Health The physical condition of Human reproductive systems.

51	0   0 Health The status of Health in Rural Populations.

52	0   0 Health The status of Health in Suburban Populations.

53	0   0 Health The status of Health in Urban Populations.

54	0   0 Health The concept covering the physical and mental conditions of Veterans.

55	0   0 Health Health as viewed from the perspective that Humans and other organisms function as complete, integrated units rather than as aggregates of separate parts.

56	0   0 Health The concept covering the physical and mental conditions of Women.

57	0   0 Health The concept pertaining to the Health Status of inhabitants of the world.

58	0   0 Health The state of the organism when it functions optimally without evidence of Disease.

59	0   0 Health The state of the organism when it functions optimally without evidence of disease.

60	0   0 Health A measure of your character’s success in forming good habits. Failure to complete Dailies, or yielding to bad Habits will cause you to lose health.

61

0   0 Health It is necessary to check carefully the health regulations* of: country of destination country of departure (also for returning if applicable) Transit stations. If only landing will be made en route the certificates of vaccination should be checked as well. *The health requirements of various countries officially sent to the World Health Organizatio [..]

62	0   0 Health the state of physical and emotional well-being, free from disease.

63	0   0 Health Equipment status

64	0   0 Health A common attribute, also called hit points or HP, that signifies the character’s life. Usually when health runs out, a player dies.

65	0   0 Health A measure of how much damage a player can sustain before they die.

66	0   0 Health A state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not just the absence of sickness or disease.

67

0   0 Health «How much damage [something] can take.» When a minion reaches zero health, it dies; when a hero reaches zero health, its player is defeated. The starting health for all heroes is 30, and it can never go over that amount. Minion starting health is displayed at the bottom-right corner, and does not have a known maximum value. Hero

68	0   0 Health The primary defensive stat, «health» or «hp» is a resource that can be removed by damage; reaching 0 health causes a unit to die.

69	0   0 Health Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

70	0   0 Health A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

71	0   0 Health A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (34

72	0   0 Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

73	0   0 Health State of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1978b), or state characterized by anatomical, physiological and psychological integri [..]

74	0   0 Health A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

75	0   0 Health The health status of millions of people is projected to be affected through, for example, increases in malnutrition; increased deaths, diseases and injury due to extreme weather events; increased burd [..]

76	0   0 Health Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by th [..]

77	0   0 Health

78	0   0 Health BEmONC

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Mental health is often missing from public health debates even though it’s critical to wellbeing.

Diane Abbott

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD HEALTH

Old English hǣlth; related to hālhale1.

PRONUNCIATION OF HEALTH

GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF HEALTH

Health can act as a noun and an exclamation.

WHAT DOES HEALTH MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Definition of health in the English dictionary

The first definition of health in the dictionary is the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free from disease. Other definition of health is the general condition of body and mind. Health is also the condition of any unit, society, etc.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH HEALTH

SYNONYMS OF «HEALTH»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «health» and belong to the same grammatical category.

TRANSLATION OF HEALTH

Find out the translation of health to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «HEALTH»

The term «health» is very widely used and occupies the 731 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.

Principal search tendencies and common uses of health

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «HEALTH» OVER TIME

10 QUOTES WITH «HEALTH»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word health.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «HEALTH»

Discover the use of health in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to health and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «HEALTH»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term health is used in the context of the following news items.

REFERENCE

« EDUCALINGO. Health [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/health>. Apr 2023 ».