If someone were to ask you what does health mean to you what would your answer be? On the surface this seems like an easy answer but in reality it is quit complex. Of course there are some standard definitions. The World Health Organizations (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. (WHO, 1948) In today's world we have all come to understand that health is much more complex than this.
The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion “affirms social, economic and environmental aspects of ‘health.” https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/population-health-approach/what-is-health.html
This document states that, “in order to be healthy, an individual or group must be able to identify and to realize aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment”. It speaks to health as being a positive state that is achieved when people or communities are able to recognize their physical abilities, social and personal resources that supports us in living our daily lives.
We need to understand what things or determinants effect health. These are the things that have an impact on how an individual defines health in their eyes. Some of these determinants are as follows:
· Income and Social Status
· Social Support Networks
· Education and Literacy
· Employment/Working Conditions
· Social Environments
· Physical Environments
· Personal Health Practices and Coping Skills
· Healthy Child Development
· Biology and Genetic Endowment
· Health Services
· Gender
· Culture
These all play a significant role in an individuals well being and state of health. These determinants are very subjective. For instance social structure or culture may be contributing factors in ones health. What someone accepts and embraces as a socially acceptable practice in one's community may have a very different effect on another. We need to understand that according to Svalastog et al (2017), "health is an aspect interwoven with all other aspects of life, everyday life, working life, family life, and community life "(p. 434).
I came across a website https://www.westwind.mb.ca/post/what-do-we-mean-by-health whilst searching for information. This is an eating disorder and recovery counseling centre. They focus on individualistic approach to health. The thought that health and the concept of health has become distorted over the years rings true. With the onset of social media there is a focus on over achievement and success. The concept that the need to define what health is on an individual basis is necessary and to understand what health means to an individual basis and to utilize this to support what that means to the individual should be the health motive. I tend to agree with their approach and thought process in that a blanket definition of health and what it is, should not be how health is defined.
In working towards an individuals’ concept of what optimal health is to them is a cumulative process. This cumulation will work toward a more balanced life. Following this cumulative path would lead to the individuals concept over all health.
References
Government of Canada (2008, September 12). What is Health? https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/population-health-approach/what-is-health.html.
Svalastog, A. L., Donev, D., Kristoffersen, N. J., & Gajović, S. (2017). Concepts and definitions of health and health-related values in the knowledge landscapes of the digital society. Croatian Medical Journal, 58(6), 431–435. Retrieved February 8, 2021, from https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2017.58.431
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