What is Health?
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
The immense value of health to human life has been universally acknowledged. As declared in 1948 in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control[1].
The ‘Constitution of the World Health Organization’ which came into effect in 1948 also recognises health as a basic human right and states that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition”[2]. With numerous nation states endorsing the right to health as part of their constitution, these are legally obliged to safeguard access to quality health in a "timely, acceptable and affordable" manner, whilst ensuring provision for the determinants of health[3].
The meaning of ‘health’ can be individually viewed from various perspectives. Understanding how different individuals consider health on a personal level could provide professionals with useful indications on what can influence behaviour with respect to health and wellness within the general population[4].
Defining Health[edit | edit source]
Coming up with a universal definition for health would be a challenging and complicated task to accomplish[6]. In healthcare, along with research, the concept of health is viewed as a main objective[7]. Identifying how health can be described and measured is therefore essential[7]. The various definitions of health established or proposed throughout the years have generated much debate amongst several individuals and organisations[8].
During the 20th century, the medical model was a recognised concept viewing health merely as a state where disease is absent [9]. The biopsychosocial model goes beyond this view and allows for the integration of the physiological, as well as the psychological and social components of a disease[8]. The World Health Organisation (1948) states that as a basic principle, "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"[10]. This declaration could be considered by some as too ambitious and absolute in view of its focus on 'complete' well-being[6]. This might make the statement unsuitable for the more realistically dynamic circumstances where adaptation and self-management might be more feasible - for instance while ageing with non-communicable diseases which is nowadays considered a common scenario[6].
Health Promotion[edit | edit source]
In 1984, the World Health Organisation compiled a report from a working group discussion on health promotion[11]. In this document, health is viewed as the ability of a person of group of individuals to "realise aspirations and satisfy needs," and similarly, "to change or cope with the environment"[11]. Hence, health is considered a "positive concept," "emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities"[11].
Relevance for Physiotherapists[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ United Nations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Available from: https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/ (accessed 22 June 2019).
- ↑ World Health Organization, BASIC DOCUMENTS [forty-eighth edition]. 2014. Available from: http://apps.who.int/gb/bd/PDF/bd48/basic-documents-48th-edition-en.pdf#page=7 [accessed 22 June 2019]
- ↑ World Health Organization. Human rights and health. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-rights-and-health [accessed 22 June 2019]
- ↑ Hughner & Kleine, 2004 cited in Scriven A. Promoting Health - A Practical Guide. UK: Elsevier, 2010.
- ↑ World Health Organization. What does your health mean to you? Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wjzQVuDej4 [accessed 22 June 2019]
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Huber M, Knottnerus JA, Green L, van der Horst H, Jadad AR, Kromhout D, et al. How should we define health? BMJ. 2011;343:d4163.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Godlee F. What is health? BMJ 2011;343:d4163.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Goodman C. FK. Introduction. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. 4th ed: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2014. p. 1-15.
- ↑ Scriven A. Promoting Health: A Practical Guide. 6th ed: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2010. p. 3-57.
- ↑ World Health Organization, BASIC DOCUMENTS [forty-eighth edition]. 2014. Available from: http://apps.who.int/gb/bd/PDF/bd48/basic-documents-48th-edition-en.pdf#page=7 [accessed 22 June 2019]
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 World Health Organisation. Health promotion: a discussion document on the concept and principles: summary report of the Working Group on Concept and Principles of Health Promotion. Copenhagen : WHO Regional Office for Europe. 9-13 July 1984. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/107835 [accessed 31 October 2019]
