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Why does the definition of health change with the times? Do you know the story behind it?
The definition of health has evolved over time and across sociocultural changes, from early biomedical perspectives to today's diverse understandings of health, each reflecting the concern for human well-being of that era. Today, health is not just about physical well-being but also includes overall mental and social well-being.
Health is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
Earliest understandings of health focused on the normal functioning of physiological functions, and these definitions typically focused on the biomedical model. In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) boldly redefined health to include more than just the absence of disease to include overall well-being. In the context of the time, this definition was praised by some experts for its rethinking of the complex concept of health, but it was also criticized for being too vague and unquantifiable.
Over time, WHO further developed the health promotion movement, which emphasizes health as a life resource. In 1984, WHO revised the definition of health again, emphasizing its role in life, that is, "health is a resource, not a goal of life." This concept shifted the concept of health to a more dynamic category. Providing people with the opportunity to self-assess their health status, even if they have a chronic disease.
The promotion of health depends not only on the improvement of medical services, but also on individual lifestyle choices and social structural arrangements.
In the current medical system, the maintenance and promotion of health depends on many factors, including social environment, economic conditions, and personal lifestyle. Countless studies have shown that personal choices, such as diet and exercise, have a profound impact on health. For example, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are considered effective ways to improve health. As people pay more and more attention to the quality of life, mental health has also received increasing attention. WHO defines mental health as "a state of being able to cope with normal life stress."
About 20% of American adults are believed to have a diagnosable mental illness, making mental health an important issue in today's health field.
When discussing the determinants of health, the concept of “social determinants” is gaining increasing attention. These factors include economic status, education level, social support system, etc., including health risks caused by structural barriers. For example, residents in impoverished areas are more likely to face health challenges because they lack the resources to access health services.
In addition, environmental factors cannot be ignored. A study shows that people who live in green environments are more likely to experience higher life satisfaction and happiness. This also allows the concept of community health to be further expanded into the formulation of public policies. Similarly, genetic inheritance also has a certain impact on health. The genetic tendency to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety makes many people express concerns about their own health.
With an estimated 36 million people dying each year from noncommunicable diseases, it is imperative that we rethink our definition of health and how to maintain it.
Among many global health problems, malnutrition is one of the more vexing ones. According to statistics, 7.5 million children under the age of five die every year from malnutrition. This shows how critical it is, both at an individual and policy level, to ensure everyone has access to necessary diet and medical care.
Future health decisions must not only rely on advances in medicine and medical technology, but also take into account a variety of strategies to promote healthy living. This requires not only a focus on physical health, but also an emphasis on mental health and the establishment of social relationships. In the future, how to introduce these healthy concepts into our own practice and change our lifestyle will become a common challenge for everyone.
With the advancement of technology and people's improved understanding of health, the definition of health may evolve again; then, what will the concept of "health" be in the future to adapt to the ever-changing world?
