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Writer's picturebabochka12
Oct 11, 20203 min read

IT IS HEALTH THAT IS REAL WEALTH AND NOT PIECES OF GOLD AND SILVER -M. Gandhi-

Updated: Nov 9, 2020

Introduction:


Most of the things in life are dynamic. As humans we always learn, improve, progress, which leads to changes in our life conditions, patterns, expectancy, and quality. Over time, due to those changes, our standards, expectations, and certain definitions are also evolving and redefining. This blog posting will compare some older health definitions and offer a newer, more relevant to today's society ones.


Traditional health definitions:


If we investigate different definitions of health, we can see that most of them used to define it as something absolute and complete. The most established WHO definition stated : “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 2020). Oxford dictionary, defined health as : “ a state of being, free from illness or injury” (Oxford living dictionaries, 2020). Similarly, Merriam-Webster dictionary definition is : “the condition of being well or free from disease. That is, the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit; especially freedom from physical disease or pain” (Merriam-Webster, 2020). Those definitions to me insinuate absence of disease. Doubtlessly, those definitions used to make sense in the past. Somehow, it does not reflect the reality of today. The problem with the definition of complete health it does not leave much space for people with chronic diseases and for managing them in a new ways. Currently, managing the disease, and not necessary its absence, is an arsenal to a healthier life, especially for older population and people with chronic diseases.


Why should we change the health definition ?


Undoubtedly, the definition of health should be changed. Instead of aiming for the absence of disease, it should be more inclusive, and it should work for more people representing different populations and nations in both developed, as well as developing world. Having disease and feeling healthy should not be impossible. Managing one or more diseases is becoming a norm, especially for older adults. Approximately two-third of adults over age 65 and more than three-quarters over age 85 are managing two or more diseases, while many report being in good or very good health. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, thyroid conditions, and osteoporosis are among the most common chronic conditions, but with regular access to continuous medical care, these and many more can be managed well, sometimes even without symptoms (C. Kiernan Fallon et al., 2019). Not only disease management, but also health promotion affected by the differences in the health definition. If the definition only focusing on disease absence, then the health promotion would focus on disease elimination, but if the definition includes adaptation and functioning, then the health promotion would focus on enhancement of coping mechanisms. In both cases, the definitions would lead to recommendations not only to improve the treatments, but also to reduce the risk factors that predispose to those diseases, such as smoking, bad eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, poor hygiene, and so on (N. Sartorius, 2006).


Ideas for the new health definition:


I am not an expert on definitions, but while reviewing different literature I came across couple that, in my opinion, are more modern and inclusive than previously mentioned ones. The definition from Pan African Medical journal: “a satisfactory and acceptable state of physical (biological), mental (intellectual), emotional (psychological), economic (financial), and social (societal) wellbeing. This state would result in maximum productivity, positive contributions, and relevant existence in a degenerating and decaying world. It is the state of having the overall physical, mental, emotional, and social abilities to add values not just to one's self, but to society, resulting in the development of a better and sustainable world where things work, people live in harmony and community existence is enhanced” (O.Ositadima et al., 2018). The other one from I. Badash et al., 2017: “ a dynamic state of well-being, characterized by an individual’s physical, mental and social potential to meet the demands of life unique to the individual’s age, culture and personal responsibility”.


Conclusion:


If the new definition of health that ,perhaps, works for more people from different walks of life will be developed and accepted, then it will allow people with chronic diseases and older population to be and feel healthy. We should revise it to account for the need of early disease management and prevention. Management and prevention, not only entirely its absence, is a means to a healthy life.



References:





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