Health is a condition of mental, physical and social well being where infirmity and disease are absent. The word ‘health’ was first used in reference to the discipline of medicine in the 18th century. The study of health has become one of the most widely studied subjects in the world. It encompasses a large range of human activities and concepts with the primary aim of preventing and treating illness. Health science comprises all the aspects of medical science with the emphasis on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disease as well as improving the quality of life.
Health services cover a wide range of activities designed to promote health. Some of these activities are directed at the individual and some at the community. The major objective of the health service is to prevent illness, disability and death through preventive care, maintaining health and the provision of services for chronic diseases. Some of these activities are directed at public health and safety, the protection of children and women and the promotion of health education and awareness. All these aim at achieving and maintaining a healthy and secure society.
The definition of Health has changed considerably over time. In recent years, it has been the single most important factor contributing to the increased longevity of humans. In fact, some attribute the existence of a healthy and long-lived society to the fact that people engage in good physical and mental wellness activities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), well-being is a concept that encompasses the physical, mental, social and economic factors that are necessary for a person to attain and maintain optimum health.
The definition of Health has been an ongoing discussion. For some, it refers to a state of well-being with no need for medical intervention or supplementation. Some others define health as the absence of disease or death caused by natural causes. Still, other persons believe that health is the tremendous power that exists within each of us, capable of giving us the endurance to overcome even the greatest adversity and the strength to maintain a quality existence despite the many problems that we may experience in this world.
Health – Overview
Health has been the source of controversy since the beginning of time. It is often used to define a condition when there is no current illness and when there is no evidence of any disease. It is also used to define the absence of disease in a community or society when all members of the community are free of known incurable disease. There have been many attempts made to define health. These include the Hippocratic Corpuscles, the Mayo Clinic, the measles, mumps, measles, and rubella (M.R.V.) Diseases of the Old World, infectious diseases, epidemics, and definitions provided by the WHO.
The Hippocratic Corpuscles was formed by Hippocrates, a Greek philosopher. In his definition of life course, Hippocrates observed that all diseases appear first at the beginning rather than later in life. For him, it was important to begin dealing with such diseases at the right time in life, which was before adolescence. He believed that all diseases were initiated by an attack on the body’s immune system.
The Mayo Clinic defines health as having a normal body system, not having serious medical conditions and maintaining good health through practices that focus on preventive care, weight management, and basic practices of good hygiene. Mumps, measles, and rubella can be defined as diseases of the new world or Asia, where most people are unwell and do not have access to healthy food. Prevention is always better than cure. This means that a combination of prevention and adequate treatment is the best possible solution to any problem. The focus of public health lies in reducing the burdens of suffering caused by such common diseases as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and other chronic conditions.
A good way of improving overall health is through changes in lifestyle choices, improving nutrition, and engaging in physical activity. All these measures are combined in the pursuit of a healthy and long life. It is estimated that in the US, 20% of adults are overweight or obese, and this condition can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and many other chronic conditions. To put it simply, the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle through improved nutrition, lifestyle choices, and regular exercise is the key to a longer, healthier life.