CONCEPT OF HEALTH By Col Naseer Alam Tariq (Retd) Col Naseer Alam Tariq (Retd)

HEALTH

Health Many definitions of health –The condition of being sound in body, mind or spirit, especially freedom from physical disease or pain (Webster) –Soundness of body or mind: that condition in which its functions are duly and efficiently discharged (Oxford)

WHO Definition of Health (1948) Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely absence of disease or infirmity Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely absence of disease or infirmity

New philosophy of Health In recent years we acquired new philosophy of health –Health is a fundamental human right –Health is intersectoral –Health is an integral part of development –Health is central to the concept of quality of life –Health involves individuals, state and international responsibility –Health is the essence of productive life, and not the result of ever increasing expenditure on medical care –Health and its maintenance is a major social investment

Dimensions of health Dimensions of health

Dimensions of health Health is multidimensional Health is multidimensional WHO definition has three dimensions-physical, mental and social WHO definition has three dimensions-physical, mental and social Other dimensions are, spiritual, emotional, vocational and political Other dimensions are, spiritual, emotional, vocational and political

Physical Dimensions The physical dimension of health is probably the easiest to understand The physical dimension of health is probably the easiest to understand The state of physical health implies the notion of perfect functioning of the body The state of physical health implies the notion of perfect functioning of the body The sign of physical health are The sign of physical health are A good complexion, clean skin, bright eyes, lustrous hair, good appetite, sound sleep, coordinated body movements, all special senses are intact A good complexion, clean skin, bright eyes, lustrous hair, good appetite, sound sleep, coordinated body movements, all special senses are intact

Physical Dimensions

Mental Dimension Mental Dimension Mental health is not mere absence of mental illness Mental health is not mere absence of mental illness Good mental health is the ability to respond to the varied experiences of life with flexibility and a sense of purpose Good mental health is the ability to respond to the varied experiences of life with flexibility and a sense of purpose A state of balance between the individual and the surrounding world A state of balance between the individual and the surrounding world Psychological factors can induce all kind of illness, not simply mental ones. Psychological factors can induce all kind of illness, not simply mental ones.

Mental Dimension Mental Dimension Mental health has been defined as “a state of balance between the individual and the surrounding world” Mental health has been defined as “a state of balance between the individual and the surrounding world” A state of harmony between oneself and others, a coexistence between the realities of the self and that of other people and that of the environment A state of harmony between oneself and others, a coexistence between the realities of the self and that of other people and that of the environment Psychologists have mentioned certain characteristics as attributes of a mentally healthy person: Psychologists have mentioned certain characteristics as attributes of a mentally healthy person:

Mentally Healthy Person Mentally Healthy Person He is free from internal conflicts; he is not at war with himself He is free from internal conflicts; he is not at war with himself He is well adjusted, is able to get along well with others He is well adjusted, is able to get along well with others Has good self control, balances rationality and emotionality Has good self control, balances rationality and emotionality Faces problems and tries to solve them intelligently Faces problems and tries to solve them intelligently Has a strong sense of self esteem Has a strong sense of self esteem

Social Dimension Social Dimension Social well being implies harmony and integration within the individual, between each individual and other members of society and between individuals and the world in which they live Social well being implies harmony and integration within the individual, between each individual and other members of society and between individuals and the world in which they live The social dimension of health includes the levels of social skills one possesses, social functioning and the ability to see oneself as a member of a larger society The social dimension of health includes the levels of social skills one possesses, social functioning and the ability to see oneself as a member of a larger society

Spiritual Dimension Spiritual health has a role in health and disease Spiritual health has a role in health and disease Intangible Intangible Spiritual health refers to that part of the individual which reaches out and strives for meaning and purpose in life. It includes integrity, principles and ethics, the purpose in life, commitment to some higher being and belief in concepts that are not subject to “state of the art” explanation Spiritual health refers to that part of the individual which reaches out and strives for meaning and purpose in life. It includes integrity, principles and ethics, the purpose in life, commitment to some higher being and belief in concepts that are not subject to “state of the art” explanation

Emotional Dimension Emotional Dimension Historically mental and emotional dimensions have been seen as one element or two closely related elements Historically mental and emotional dimensions have been seen as one element or two closely related elements Mental health can be seen as knowing or cognition and emotional health relates to feeling Mental health can be seen as knowing or cognition and emotional health relates to feeling Mental and emotional aspect are two separate dimensions of human health Mental and emotional aspect are two separate dimensions of human health

Emotional Dimension Emotional Dimension

Vocational Dimension Vocational aspect of life is part of human existence Vocational aspect of life is part of human existence Importance of this dimension is exposed when individual suddenly lose job or faced with mandatory retirement Importance of this dimension is exposed when individual suddenly lose job or faced with mandatory retirement

Vocational Dimension The Vocational output of life is a new dimension. The Vocational output of life is a new dimension. When work is fully adapted to human goals, capacity & limitation. When work is fully adapted to human goals, capacity & limitation. Work often plays a role in promoting both physical and mental health. Work often plays a role in promoting both physical and mental health. Physical work is associated with an improvement in physical capacity. Physical work is associated with an improvement in physical capacity. While goal achievement and self realization increases mental satisfaction and self esteem. While goal achievement and self realization increases mental satisfaction and self esteem.

Other Dimensions Philosophical dimension Philosophical dimension Cultural dimension Cultural dimension Socio-economic dimension Socio-economic dimension Environmental dimension Environmental dimension Educational dimension Educational dimension Nutritional dimension Nutritional dimension Curative dimension Curative dimension Preventive dimension Preventive dimension

Determinants of Health

Health is multifactorial Biological determinants- Nature of genes chromosomal anomalies, errors of metabolism Biological determinants- Nature of genes chromosomal anomalies, errors of metabolism Behavioral and socio cultural conditions Behavioral and socio cultural conditions Life style -the way people live coronary artery disease, obesity, lung cancer, drug addiction, Life style -the way people live coronary artery disease, obesity, lung cancer, drug addiction, Risk of illness and death are connected with lack of sanitation, poor nutrition, personal hygiene Environment Environment –Internal each and every component part of body –External those thing man is exposed

Determinants of Health Determinants of Health Socio-economic conditions –Economic status –Education –Occupation –Political system Health Services Aging of the population Gender Other factors

Determinants of Health Health/ Well-being Education Agriculture Water/Sanitation Housing Socioeconomic Development Health care 1.Recourses 2.Organization & management 3.Delivery & accessibility Quality/ Use Work Environment Employment Social org network Living condition Family size Age Gender Genetics Life-style

Spectrum of health Spectrum of health

Spectrum of health Health and disease lie along a continuum, and there is no single cut off point Health and disease lie along a continuum, and there is no single cut off point The lowest point on the health-disease spectrum is death and the highest point positive health The lowest point on the health-disease spectrum is death and the highest point positive health Positive health Positive health Better health Better health Freedom from sickness Freedom from sickness Unrecognized sickness Unrecognized sickness Mild sickness Mild sickness Severe sickness Severe sickness Death Death

Positive health “Perfect Functioning” of the body and mind “Perfect Functioning” of the body and mind Biologically as a state in which every cell and every organ is functioning at optimum capacity and in perfect harmony with each other and the rest of the body Biologically as a state in which every cell and every organ is functioning at optimum capacity and in perfect harmony with each other and the rest of the body Psychologically as a state in which the individual feels a sense of perfect well being and of mastery over his environment Psychologically as a state in which the individual feels a sense of perfect well being and of mastery over his environment Socially as a state in which the individuals capacities for participation in the social system are optimal Socially as a state in which the individuals capacities for participation in the social system are optimal

OPTIMUM HEALTH OPTIMUM HEALTH

HEALTH and HEALTH and WELL BEING Physical Mental Emotional Spiritual Vocational Environmental Economic Social COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF HEALTH TODAY

Responsibility For Health Responsibility For Health

Individual responsibility Individual responsibility Community responsibility Community responsibility State responsibility State responsibility International responsibility International responsibility

Individual Responsibility Although health is now recognized a fundamental human right, it is essentially an individual responsibility. It is to be earned and maintained by the individual himself Although health is now recognized a fundamental human right, it is essentially an individual responsibility. It is to be earned and maintained by the individual himself Self care – all activities individuals undertake in promoting own health, preventing their own disease, limiting their illness and restoring their own health Self care – all activities individuals undertake in promoting own health, preventing their own disease, limiting their illness and restoring their own health Self care activities relating to diet, sleep, exercise, weight, smoking, drugs Self care activities relating to diet, sleep, exercise, weight, smoking, drugs

Community Responsibility Community Responsibility Health can never be adequately protected by health services without active involvement of communities whose health is at stake Health can never be adequately protected by health services without active involvement of communities whose health is at stake The people’s health ought to be the concern of the people themselves. They must struggle for it and plan for it. The people’s health ought to be the concern of the people themselves. They must struggle for it and plan for it.

State Responsibility State Responsibility State assumes responsibility for the health and welfare of its citizen State assumes responsibility for the health and welfare of its citizen Health is a state responsibility Health is a state responsibility

International Responsibility International Responsibility Governments and international organizations cooperate in achieving the health goals- WHO,UNICEF,FAO Governments and international organizations cooperate in achieving the health goals- WHO,UNICEF,FAO Cooperation covers exchange of experts, provision of drugs and supplies, control of communicable diseases and achievement of Health For All Cooperation covers exchange of experts, provision of drugs and supplies, control of communicable diseases and achievement of Health For All

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Public Health The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting physical and mental health and efficiency through organized community efforts for – the sanitation of the environment – the organization of medical and nursing services for the early diagnosis, prompt treatment and prevention of disease – The development of the social machinery which will ensure to every individual in the community a standard of living adequate for the maintenance of health

Preventive Medicine The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting physical and mental health and efficiency