Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It includes a person’s perception of his or her own quality of life and the ability to function effectively in their environment, including family, work and community.
Health consists of an intricate interplay of many factors: the genetic makeup and environmental conditions to which people are born; their daily choices, such as diet, exercise and access to medical care; the ways in which they respond to illness or injury; and structural causes, such as economic policies and the distribution of power. Some of these factors, such as the genetic makeup, are beyond anyone’s control; others, such as smoking and obesity, are under people’s control to some extent.
Some of these factors can be changed by public policy, but many remain unchanged despite efforts to improve the health of populations. One reason for this failure is the underlying assumptions behind how health is defined and measured. When the concept of health is viewed as an individual’s abilities, the goals of improvement may be more diverse and include improvements in people’s responses to diseases or their diagnosis; their perceptions of their ability to function and how well they feel they are functioning; and the overall sense of their spiritual, emotional and social well-being.
Writing a health, wellness or medical article requires skill in separating fact from myth, sorting legitimate findings and consensus views from questionable ones, and providing unbiased reporting. It also requires a thorough understanding of the science behind what is being written about, as well as sensitivity to the concerns of readers.