The Concept of Health and Well-Being

A well-developed definition of health encompasses all dimensions of human life, including the physical, mental, and social. In addition, it reflects a holistic approach to human well-being, which puts the individual in the driving seat. This article explores the concept of health and its role in the health and wellness of our communities. It highlights the need to expand the idea of “health” to include a wider range of aspects, rather than just a single factor.

In the World Health Organization’s constitution, ‘health’ is defined as the absence of disease. This view is unrealistic and often counterproductive, as few people are ever fully well. It also fails to take into account chronic illnesses and disabilities, contributing to the over-medicalisation of society. The World Bank recently reported on health inequality. However, this doesn’t mean that health is only a mental state. In fact, the most important aspect of health is a person’s ability to cope with stressful situations and maintain relationships.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as complete physical, mental, and social well-being. It refers to a person’s capacity to achieve homeostasis and recover from adverse events. Mental health, or emotional state, relates to the person’s ability to cope with stress, acquire skills, and maintain relationships. Although many of these factors are determined by a person’s choices, they are also affected by structural factors.