1.3 Definitions of Health

1.3 Definitions of Health

1. Health is a complete state of physical, mental and social well being and not simply the absence of disease or infirmity

2. Negative

   • Not being ill, diseased or unwell
   • Looks at what the person does not have - if they do not have a medical illness, they see themselves as healthy

3. Holistic

   • A state of complete physical. mental and social wellbeing
   • empowering and improving their quality of life
   • Absence of disease or illness, good physical fitness, BMI and blood pressure in normal range
     • Also involves well being, how person feels, are they happy and feel positive?

4. Positive

   • Being fit, feeling good, having a good BMI
   • Focus on the presence of certain qualities or abilities
   • Regardless, may be happy and fit but could have terminal illness

5. Personal

   • The understanding a person has about their health
     • influenced by
       • Age
         • Young person gets out of breath when walking up hill - nothing to worry about whereas older person see themselves as healthy if they could walk to the corner shop
       • Social background/ Social class
         • Lower social class = Negative view Higher social class = Positive view
       • Lifestyle
         • Non- smoker with persistent cough = not normal, ill health Smoker with persistent cough = normal, not ill
       • Where you live
         • infant mortality rates high = healthy family is child doesn't die Western countires = healthy family if child doesn't have an illness