Health is an emotional state of emotional, physical and mental well-being where infirmity and illness are absent. There are various definitions used for this state; some use medical, others spiritual, and some would say that there is no such thing as health at all. However, a number of definitions have long been in use for different purposes throughout time. For the purpose of our discussion we will stick to the dictionary’s definition of health as it relates to human beings: the state of being wholesome, complete, and capable of self-care.
Health promotion begins with recognizing that health is a complex system composed of many interrelated components. This is true for all systems, but it is especially true for a complex system like the human body. The human body possesses a number of components that interact with one another on a daily basis. For this reason, a healthy body can only be fully and properly cared for when all components of the body are in optimal health. For those who take part in activities that promote health, this component is taken care of by practicing healthy living practices that emphasize social interaction, appropriate diet, regular exercise, and other personal resources that promote health throughout the person’s daily life.
For some, these components may include a physical examination, laboratory tests and other observations of the physical state of the person. These tests provide data which can be interpreted and used to determine what kind of medical conditions the individual may have and how severe they are. If a health concern is discovered during this process, a consultation with a physician is necessary. This consultation is designed to gather more information on the individual and to determine the extent of the health concern. This step is also meant to determine what type of treatment would be most effective at addressing the health concern and its severity.