HEALTH
The word health refers to a state of complete
emotional and physical well-being. Healthcare
exists to help people maintain this optimal state of
health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
healthcare costs in the United States were $3.5 trillionTrusted Source in 2017.
However, despite this expenditure, people in the U.S. have a lower life
expectancy than people in other developed countries. This is due to a variety
of factors, including access to healthcare and lifestyle choices.
Good health is central to handling stress and living a longer, more active life.
In this article, we explain the meaning of good health, the types of health a
person needs to consider, and how to preserve good health.
What is health?
Share on Pin terest Regular exercise contributes to good health.
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source defined health
with a phrase that modern authorities still apply.
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
In 1986, the WHOTrusted Source made further clarifications:
“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.”
This means that health is a resource to support an individual’s function in
wider society, rather than an end in itself. A healthful lifestyle provides the
means to lead a full life with meaning and purpose.
In 2009, researchers publishing inThe LancetTrusted Source defined health
as the ability of a body to adapt to new threats and infirmities.
They base this definition on the idea that the past few decades have seen
modern science take significant strides in the awareness of diseases by
understanding how they work, discovering new ways to slow or stop them,
and acknowledging that an absence of pathology may not be possible.
Types
Mental and physical health are probably the two most frequently discussed
types of health.
Spiritual, emotional, and financial health also contribute to overall health.
Medical experts have linked these to lower stress levels and improved mental
and physical well-being.
People with better financial health, for example, may worry less about
finances and have the means to buy fresh food more regularly. Those with
good spiritual health may feel a sense of calm and purpose that fuels good
mental health.
Health inequities affect all of us differently. Visit our dedicated hub for an in-
depth look at social disparities in health and what we can do to correct them.
Physical health
A person who has good physical health is likely to have bodily functions and
processes working at their peak.
This is not only due not only to an absence of disease. Regular exercise,
balanced nutrition, and adequate rest all contribute to good health. People
receive medical treatment to maintain the balance, when necessary.
Physical well-being involves pursuing a healthful lifestyle to decrease the risk
of disease. Maintaining physical fitness, for example, can protect and develop
the endurance of a person’s breathing and heart function, muscular strength,
flexibility, and body composition.
Looking after physical health and well-being also involves reducing the risk of
an injury or health issue, such as:
minimizing hazards in the workplace
using contraception when having sex
practicing effective hygiene
avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs
taking the recommended vaccines for a specific condition or country
when traveling
Good physical health can work in tandem with mental health to improve a
person’s overall quality of life.
For example, mental illness, such as depression, may increase the risk of
drug use disorders, according to a 2008 studyTrusted Source. This can go on
to adversely affect physical health.
Mental health
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,Trusted
Source mental health refers to a person’s emotional, social, and psychological
well-being. Mental health is as important as physical health as part of a full,
active lifestyle.
It is harder to define mental health than physical health because many
psychological diagnoses depend on an individual’s perception of their
experience.
With improvements in testing, however, doctors are now able to identify some
physical signs of some types of mental illness in CT scans and genetic tests.
Good mental health is not only categorized by the absence
of depression, anxiety, or another disorder. It also depends on a person’s
ability to:
enjoy life
bounce back after difficult experiences and adapt to adversity
balance different elements of life, such as family and finances
feel safe and secure
achieve their full potential
Physical and mental health have strong connections. For example, if a chronic
illness affects a person’s ability to complete their regular tasks, it may lead to
depression and stress. These feelings could be due to financial problems or
mobility issues.
A mental illness, such as depression or anorexia, can affect body weight and
overall function.
It is important to approach “health” as a whole, rather than as a series of
separate factors. All types of health are linked, and people should aim for
overall well-being and balance as the keys to good health.
