Historically, health has been a central concern of society. It has been defined as an individual’s ability to live a healthy life. Health, however, is a multidimensional concept, spanning both mental and physical well-being. Some aspects of health are more visible than others. Financial well-being is a major indicator of a person’s health, as is physical appearance. Even though the word health is often associated with wealth, there are many factors to consider when evaluating one’s health.
In today’s digital age, diverse perspectives on health co-exist and evolve. Many different ideas about health have found new audiences online, and some of them are simply refurbished historical concepts. Public health-related interventions should consider the context in which they are presented, and acknowledge this when contradicting medical recommendations. The three main characteristics of a lay perspective on health are wholeness, pragmatism, and individualism. Wholeness refers to health as a process that involves all aspects of life, including family functioning. Individualism, on the other hand, focuses on health as a relative condition, based on personal experience.
The World Health Organization has also endorsed the right to health as a human right, defining it as “complete physical and mental well-being without regard to race, religion, political belief, or economic or social circumstances.” In addition, numerous nation states have recognized this right to health, making them legally obligated to provide timely and affordable health care for everyone, regardless of the country in which they live. In addition, the constitution also requires nation states to provide adequate and affordable health services and to address determinants of health.