Health is a broad concept that can be defined in many ways. It can include a wide range of factors, from mental and physical well-being to financial stability and social connections. It can even include the ability to adapt to life events and changes.
The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition has sparked some controversy, as it may be considered to be too ambitious and absolute, especially in light of the fact that health is not a universally achievable ideal.
A more specific definition of health, based on the biopsychosocial model, describes healthy individuals as people who are well adjusted and in balance with their environment. They have a positive view of their lives and are not naively optimistic, but are able to live with the limits of reality. People who are not healthy are at risk of a number of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Some of these diseases are genetic, while others are caused by environmental factors such as smoking or excessive drinking.
A recent commentary in The Lancet suggests that health is multidimensional, dynamic, and continuous, and may be distinct from a person’s ability to function and instead determined by the principles of balance and adaptation. This approach to health requires new assessments of both process and outcome, and may help us better understand how to prevent and treat diseases that affect people from marginalized groups.