Health can be defined in many ways but is mainly compromised as complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 2020). It also highlights the importance of being happy, but happy does not always mean healthy. According to World Health Organization, if someone is infected with a disease, they are deemed not healthy based on their definition. Like many others, I believe this is not always the case, there are many individuals who are living with diseases such as diabetes, polio, measles, and so much more, who are still considered to be healthy. Back in 1948 when this definition first came out, it was quiet accurate and individuals seemed to understand why this definition made sense since health equity can be achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being (WHO, 2020). With changing times and medical advancements, it is important to think of how the definition of health has changed over the many years. I think it is extremely important to look at how health can be defined as a more inclusive area that is able to look at prevention and treatment measures while still deeming an individual as healthy. It is now so much easier to be able to live a healthy life and show healthy results across different areas even while being diagnosed with a disease. It is extremely important for health to be adaptive in its definition, the environment people live in, and the way individuals take care of themselves are two crucial factors. It is also to see how health can look different for everyone, there is no definition that is inclusive of all in my opinion and health should be continuous and changing overtime as individuals age (Krahn et al., 2021). To be specific, Sartorius (2006) proposed conceptualizing health as a dimension that can co-exist with the presence of disease or impairment, this not only amplifies the importance of changing the way one defines health, but it also shows how health has changed over time (Krahn et al., 2021). Although from other perspectives the definition of health has changed over time and can now be defined as the dynamic balance of physical, mental, social, and existential well-being in adapting to conditions of life and the environment (Krahn et al., 2021). Balance and adapting are two key words to point out, if there is a balance in your life and you are able to adapt to conditions in your life then it is a huge step forward compared to the first definition of health. I can say that defining health has come a long way, but there are always going to be gaps in the definition that does not accurately describe health and the way people think, feel, and act healthy.
References:
Krahn, G. L., Robinson, A., Murray, A. J., Havercamp, S. M., Havercamp, S., Andridge, R., Arnold, L. E., Barnhill, J., Bodle, S., Boerner, E., Bonardi, A., Bourne, M. L., Brown, C., Buck, A., Burkett, S., Chapman, R., Cobranchi, C., Cole, C., Davies, D., Witwer, A. (2021). It's time to reconsider how we define health: Perspective from disability and chronic condition. Disability and Health Journal, 14(4), 101129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101129
WHO (World Health Organization). 2020. Basic Document Basic documents: forty-ninth edition (including amendments adopted up to 31 May 2019). Last updated 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
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