WHAT IS HEALTH?

What is Health? You are probably beginning to appreciate that people have many views about the meaning of health. Why is how we define health important? Because our understanding of health influences the importance we place on investing in health.

What is health? This PowerPoint will look at three important definitions of health. The WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATIONS definition of health The Biomedical definition of health And The OTTAWA CHARTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION definition of health

The World Health Organisation (WHO) In 1945, after WWII, a group of diplomats met and formed the United Nations (UN). One of the first goals of the UN was to establish a global organisation to provide leadership on health matters. This resulted in the formation of the “WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION” (WHO) *Write this into your workbooks!!

Their definition of health: The WHO definition of health is the most widely known definition of health... ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’ The WHO, 1946

What are the limitations of these definitions? Let’s start with the WHO definition: ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’ What’s wrong with this definition?

What are the limitations of this definition? The use of the word ‘complete’, which suggests ‘total’ or ‘perfect’ health. Realistically this can not be achieved. It has been suggested that perhaps the word ‘optimal’ replace the word ‘complete’. The state of well being is difficult to measure.

The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion In 1986, WHO held the first “INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on HEALTH PROMOTION” in a place called Ottawa in Canada. At this conference, a VERY IMPORTANT document was created. It focused on health promotion. It was called the “Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion” *Write this into your workbooks!!

Their Definition of Health: The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion Identified the Prerequisites for health as: Education Peace Income Sustainable Resources Shelter Food A stable ecosystem Social Justice Equity *Write this into your workbooks!!

“Health is seen as a resource for everyday life, not the object of living. Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.” The Ottawa Charter 1986

What are the limitations of this definition? According to the Ottawa charter, to be “healthy” you must have all of the prerequisites for health. Looking at the Prerequisites for health... Would you be considered Healthy?

Food Income Shelter Education Peace Sustainable Resources A stable ecosystem Social Justice Equity

The Biomedical Definition of health ‘Health is the absence of disease.’ This definition suggests that in order to be healthy, they must be free from disease or in the process of having the illness treated.

What are the limitation of this definition? It ignores the social, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental aspects of health. It suggests that if the body is not diseased then in must be healthy. It is based on Western medicine and therefore does not recognise other ways of treating illness, for example traditional medicine, healing, Chinese herbal remedies etc.

Biomedical definition: Definition of Health Limitations WHO: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity -The use of the word ‘complete’, which suggests ‘total’ or ‘perfect’ health. Realistically this can not be achieved. It has been suggested that perhaps the word ‘optimal’ replace the word ‘complete’. -The state of well being is difficult to measure. Ottawa Charter: Health is seen as a resource for everyday life, not the object of living. Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities -According to the Ottawa charter, to be “healthy” you must have all of the prerequisites for health. Biomedical definition: Health is the absence of disease. This definition suggests that in order to be healthy, they must be free from disease or in the process of having the illness treated. -It ignores the social, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental aspects of health. -It suggests that if the body is not diseased then in must be healthy. -It is based on Western medicine and therefore does not recognise other ways of treating illness, for example traditional medicine, healing, Chinese herbal remedies etc. *Write this into your workbooks!!