What is the definition of health? According to the World Health Organization, health is the state of complete well-being, free from disease and infirmity. Throughout history, different definitions have been used to define health. These have largely reflected changing social and economic circumstances. Below are some of the different ways that people define health. These are just a few of the ways that people define health today. Read on to learn more about each of these definitions.
First, we must be realistic. No one has the ability to be healthy 100% of the time, and a ‘complete health’ definition is counterproductive. It fails to take into account the many individuals and communities affected by chronic illness, disability, or age. It also contributes to our medicalisation and over-prescription. Despite this, it is still the most popular definition of health. There is no single ‘perfect’ definition of health, and everyone is different.
Second, a person’s health is defined by the WHO. In 1948, this was the only way to assess a person’s health, but the concept of “health” has since evolved. In addition to assessing the absence of disease, the WHO defines it as a person’s physical and mental capacities. In other words, the word “health” refers to a person’s ability to survive and adapt to new circumstances.