The traditional definitions of health prior to the onset of modern medicine would have considered someone physically healthy if he or she was not stricken with a serious illness. With modern medical innovations came longer life spans, which changed the way we define physical health. Today's definition includes mental and social well being, apart from physical well being of an individual.
World Health Organization defines Health as “State of Physical, Mental & Social wellbeing of an Individual, Not merely the absence of disease or deformity”.
When considering mental health and physical health, the two should not be thought of as separate. Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, poor mental health can negatively impact on physical health, leading to an increased risk of illness..
Since the founding of the NHS in 1948, physical care and mental health care have largely been disconnected. There is an increasing call on healthcare professionals to consider psychological wellbeing when treating the physical symptoms of a condition and vice versa.
It's also important to point out that the importance of social health goes beyond physical health. Socially healthy individuals are also mentally and emotionally healthier. They are less likely to have depression and are more likely to have a sharper memory.
Thus, Health can be defined as physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and as a resource for living a full life. It refers not only to the absence of disease, but the ability to recover and bounce back from illness and other problems.
Health Components
- Physical Health
consists of many components, which are
- Physical activity – includes strength, flexibility, and endurance
- Nutrition and diet – includes nutrient intake, fluid intake, and healthy digestion
- Alcohol and drugs – includes the abstinence from or reduced consumption of these substances
- Rest and sleep – includes periodic rest and relaxation, along with high quality sleep
- Mental Health
includes emotional & psychological well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
- Social Health
involves your ability to form satisfying interpersonal relationships with others. It also relates to your ability to adapt comfortably to different social situations and act appropriately in a variety of settings.
Diseases: are broadly classified in to two groups
- 1. Communicable Disease (CD): A communicable disease is one that is spread from one person to another through a variety of ways that include: contact with blood and bodily fluids; breathing in an airborne virus; or by being bitten by an insect. Example: Malaria, Typhoid, Flu, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, H1N1, Dengue & So on.
- 2. Non Communicable Diseases (NCD): A non-communicable disease (NCD) is a disease that is not transmissible directly from one person to another. NCDs include Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, most heart diseases, most cancers, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and others.