Understanding the Evolving Definition of Health in Today's World
What is health?
Everything around us and inside us can influence our health. Environment, job, people, food, water, house, and clothes. Our beliefs, values, education, sex, age, and emotions. All these form the external or internal factors that we interact with in one way or the other. The world health organization, WHO (1948) defined health as ' the state of complete physical, emotional and social well being and not, mere absence of disease or infirmity'.
A lot has changed following 1948 and the perception of health especially by the industrialized nations is no longer at par with the WHO definition of health. The innovative strides made in health and social care and the ongoing researches in biomedicine, socio-medicine and mental health have expanded frontiers that have altered the perception of health.
The Ottawa Charter .
In November 1986 during the first international conference on health promotion, efforts were made to modify the definition of health to be an all inclusive one with a positive outlook and emphasis was on personal, social and as well as physical resources and capabilities. Peace, equity, social justice, housing, stable ecosystem, income, food, education and sustainable resources were listed as being fundamental to health.
The new dynamic concept of health.
Huber et.al.(2016)in an effort to garner support for the new dynamic concept of health, published a study in the British Medical Journal titled: Towards a ‘patient-centred’ operationalisation of the new dynamic concept of health: a mixed methods study. The authors defined health as 'the ability to adapt and self-manage'. They also laid emphasis on producing perceived health indicators so as to develop a measurable concept.
Dimensions of health.
Based on several works and researches and the need to manage health needs efficiently, about six dimensions of health has been mapped out. These are physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual and societal.
Physical Health
This is pertains to how the human body functions. In optimum health, the anatomy and physiology of all body parts functions harmoniously without a sign or symptom of ill health and opposite is the case when we are sick. Certain habits either sustain or jeopardizes our physical health, e.g. exercise and smoking respectively.
Mental Health
This relates to our mental equipment and an excellent mental health encapsulates logical, sane and realistic thinking capability. Mental health is promoted by reducing stress, avoiding mind-altering drugs and trauma to the head amongst others.
Social Health.
Social health has to do with the manner or way we relate with others. It is important to be involved in relationships that improve one's capacity, self-esteem and self-actualization. Toxic relationships which take different forms can negatively impact our social health.
Emotional Health
When you can realize, accept and express your emotions such as joy, fear and guilt in a positive way and you have the intelligence and ability to manage negative emotions such as depression, emotional stress, anxiety or tension, it could be said you are emotionally healthy. Emotional health is important for both a man and woman. Social relationships can improve or mar emotional health so could the ingestion of illicit drugs.
Spiritual Health
Spiritual health can be explained in different ways. Some people refer to it as a healthy religious experience or practice. It could mean a deep peace or a life-principle for the non-religious. A spiritually healthy person is at peace with himself.
Societal Health.
It could be referred to as environmental health couple with culture and values of the society you are living in. Social health is multi-faceted, making up the tangible and the intangible that influence our overall health. Almost all the listed factors in the first paragraph could comprise our society and in a way influence our health for good or for worse.
Conclusion
The dimensions of health are categorized for easy elucidation but are often interactive with one another. An understanding of these dimensions help us to identify in what areas we are lacking in order to sustain an optimum functioning of our health. Example, If you are sedentary in your life style, you may want to start exercising to improve your physical health. The concept of health changes with the people's technology, perception and values of the time.
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Huber, M., Vliet, V.M., Giezenberg, M., Winkens, B., Heerkens, Y., P C Dagnelie, P.C.,& Knottnerus, J.A.(2016)Towards a ‘patient-centred’ operationalisation of the new dynamic concept of health: a mixed methods study. BMJ Open 2016;5:e010091. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010091.
Naidoo, J. & Wills, J. (2016) Foundation for health promotion. Elsevier.
World Health Organization(2024)The 1st International Conference on Health Promotion, Ottawa, 1986. https://www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/enhanced-wellbeing/first-global-conference
Scriven, A., & Ewles, L.(2011). Promoting Health: A Practical Guide (6th ed.) United Kingdom: Dawson Books.
