What does “health” really mean? Can you be healthy and sick at the same time?
Imagine: You are REALLY not feeling well - you have had a fever, malaise, etc. for the last few days. You feel like garbage. You contemplate if this is how your life ends – shivering, febrile, weak, and alone. You muster up the strength to make a doctor’s appointment and you are seen later that day. As soon as the physician gives you a diagnosis, a prognosis, and a prescription, you immediately feel a bit better, even though nothing physical was done to help cure you. What made you feel better? Was it the confirmation that your life isn’t in the balance? Was it that you now know you aren’t as sick as you may have thought (thus making you healthier)?
To better understand “health” I decided to review some definitions created by health experts.
The first definition comes from the WHO – our world leaders in health. This definition states that health is "... a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity" (WHO, 2021). The WHO’s definition has remained untouched since 1948 and to me, it shows. This definition of health is too absolute and is out of touch. When I read this definition I think: "So if I have a disability, I'm not healthy?". I do not feel that limitations (physical, mental, etc) should exclude someone of health.
The next definition I reviewed is from the Government of Canada. This definition states that health is more than just physical - it includes realizing aspirations, satisfying ones needs, and coping to changes in one’s environment (Canada, 2008). This new way of thinking focuses more on health being a resource used to lead our lives (Canada, 2008). This definition lends itself to be more inclusive which I appreciate. The government's approach is more holistic and doesn’t focus on health being the end all and be all, but rather, something that can assist you in accomplishing your goals.
The last definition comes from the American Thoracic Society (ATS) (2007) and it states that health is relative and is determined by how an individual perceives their health and wellness. This definition really resonates with me as health is determined by the individual. This is how someone who is suffering from an illness may still feel healthy (ATS, 2007).
To learn more about how health perceptions can change how we view health, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnlaS6CsuYk&feature=emb_title
The idea that health is a social construct has been proven time and time again. Rittersberger- Tiliç and Özen (2018) state that those who live in low socio-economic conditions experience higher rates of illness, neonatal deaths, disability, and lower life expectancy, and that these individuals tend to describe health in more negative terms that focused on how the body performs.
To learn more about health as a social construct, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9AHBPICjH0&feature=emb_title
The definition of health has been up for discussion over the last 20 or so years (Lerner, 2019). The more aspects that are included, the more wholesome it becomes (Lerner, 2019).
To me, the definition of health needs to be updated. It should be multifaceted - encompassing an individual's entire being (physical, mental, spiritual, social, etc), be relative based on an individual's personal experiences and perception of health, and be inclusive of individuals with disabilities, conditions, and illness.
Looking for more resources on this topic? Check out my Pearltrees site for more.
References:
American Thoracic Society. (2007). Health status, health perceptions. Retrieved February 6, 2021, from https://qol.thoracic.org/sections/key-concepts/health-status-health-perceptions.html
Government of Canada. (2021). What is health?. Retrieved Feb 6, 2021, from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/population-health-approach/what-is-health.html
Lerner, H. A critical analysis of definitions of health as balance in a One Health perspective. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 22,453–461 (2019). https://0-doi-org.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/10.1007/s11019-018-09884-1
Özen, Y., & Rittersberger-Tiliç, H. (2018). Differences in the perception of health among the urban poor living in two squatter house neighbourhoods in Ankara. Mediterranean Journal of Humanities, 8(1), 309-333. doi: 10.13114
World Health Organization. (2021). The 1st International Conference on Health Promotion, Ottawa. Retrieved February 6, 2021 from https://www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/enhanced-wellbeing/first-global-conference
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