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The World Health Organization's new definition of health: How does it affect your life and well-being?
The concept of health has evolved over time and has become an integral part of many people's daily lives. The definition of health not only refers to the disease-free state of the body, but also includes the individual's mental health and social adaptability. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a "state of complete physical, mental and social well-being". What impact does this new definition have on our lives and happiness?
Health is no longer viewed simply as the absence of physical disease, but rather as a resource that enables a person to realize his or her desires, meet needs, and adapt to the environment.
The evolution of health can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when the World Health Organization made a groundbreaking change in the definition of health. In 1948, the WHO proposed a new definition of health that not only regards health as the normal function of the body, but also takes into account the overall physical, mental and social well-being. With the progress of society, this concept has begun to take root in people's hearts, and more and more people have realized that health is not just the absence of disease, but also an indicator of quality of life.
Health is a resource, not a purpose in life, and emphasis should be placed on social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities.
As time went on, WHO revised its definition of health again in 1984, stating that health is the degree to which individuals or groups are able to achieve their goals, meet their needs and respond to their environment. This new perspective opens new possibilities for health education, advocacy, and promotion, allowing many people to realize that it is possible to feel healthy even if they have multiple chronic diseases or terminal conditions.
Therefore, the concept of "determinants of health" has also received attention. These determinants include not only the lifestyle that individuals choose, but also the socioeconomic environment, the physical environment, and the individual characteristics and behaviors of people. For example, improvements in mental health have a direct impact on a person’s overall well-being, as excessive levels of life stress can impair an individual’s ability to cope.
A study shows that environmental influences play an important role in individual health, including clean water and air, and a safe living environment.
Today, many countries have begun to pay attention to the impact of public policies and social decisions on health. For example, with the introduction of sugar taxes, many governments have begun to pay attention to the rising obesity rates among teenagers and have tried to adjust policies to promote healthy lifestyles. The invisible effect of such measures is also to remind citizens how to eliminate health threats and strive to establish a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to the external environment and policies mentioned above, personal diet, exercise and sleeping habits also have a great impact on health. Studies have found that a balanced diet and regular exercise can effectively reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and further enhance a person's overall health. Even though life may present challenges, we can still face the future positively by making healthy choices.
In addition, the health sector is increasingly emphasizing the importance of mental health. Recent studies have shown that a good mental state directly affects physical health. Therefore, effective stress management and social interaction can not only improve our quality of life but also promote overall health. This got us thinking, how can we proactively plan ways to improve our mental health in our daily lives?
Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness, but the ability of an individual to cope with the stress of life normally.
Looking into the future, the World Health Organization's new definition of health will continue to guide our health concepts and behavioral changes. Will this change the way we pursue health? Perhaps you have begun to rethink the health choices in your life and seek a better quality of life. What other unnoticed health-promoting factors are there in our lives waiting for us to explore?
