Definition of healthier
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Defining Healthier: A Comprehensive Overview
WHO Definition of Health: Complete Wellbeing
The World Health Organization (WHO) originally defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing"5. This definition emphasizes a holistic view of health, encompassing not just the absence of disease but a state of overall wellbeing. However, this definition has been critiqued for being overly idealistic and not practical in the context of chronic diseases and the complexities of modern life1.
Adaptation and Self-Management: A Modern Perspective
Recent discussions in the medical community suggest a shift towards defining health as the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges1 6. This perspective acknowledges the dynamic nature of health, recognizing that individuals must continuously adapt to changing circumstances to maintain their health.
Positive Health: A Holistic Model
The concept of positive health integrates multiple components, including physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing. It emphasizes sustainable habits and a sound knowledge base for optimal health3. This model is particularly relevant in educational settings, where promoting mental and psychological health is crucial for overall student wellbeing and academic performance3.
Mental Health: Beyond Absence of Illness
Mental health is increasingly recognized as more than just the absence of mental illness. The WHO defines mental health as a state of wellbeing where individuals realize their abilities, cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community4. This definition includes emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing, highlighting the importance of positive emotions and functioning4.
Healthspan: Measuring Quality of Life
The concept of healthspan focuses on the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities associated with aging7. This approach aims to quantify health in a way that considers both lifespan and the quality of life, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good health throughout one's life.
Emotional Wellbeing: Integral to Overall Health
Emotional wellbeing is a critical component of overall health. It involves being confident, positive, and able to cope with life's ups and downs5. Research suggests that initiatives promoting physical wellbeing alone may not be sufficient; emotional and social wellbeing are equally important for achieving true health5.
Health Promotion: The Role of Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, play a vital role in promoting health. Healthier nursing practices involve a commitment to health-promoting behaviors at organizational, professional, and personal levels9. This holistic approach to health promotion aims to create empowered relationships between individuals and their environment to improve overall wellness9.
Conclusion
The definition of "healthier" has evolved from a static state of complete wellbeing to a dynamic process of adaptation and self-management. Modern perspectives emphasize the importance of holistic health, integrating physical, mental, social, and emotional components. By adopting these comprehensive definitions, we can better address the complexities of health in contemporary society and promote a more inclusive and practical approach to achieving and maintaining health.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
How should we define health?
Health should be defined as the ability to adapt and self manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges, rather than complete wellbeing.
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedWhat is health?
Health is a complex concept, encompassing various aspects of wholeness and adaptability, with various definitions and metrics.
Highly CitedPositive Health
Positive education promotes holistic health, focusing on mindfulness, optimism, resilience, and general health behaviors, which improve students' performance in school and life.
Highly CitedToward a new definition of mental health
Mental health should be viewed as a complex, multidimensional concept that considers both positive emotions and positive functioning, rather than just focusing on positive emotions and functioning.
Highly CitedWhat is health?
The new definition of health suggests that it is "the ability to adapt and self manage" in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges.
Rigorous JournalHow healthy is the healthspan concept?
The healthspan concept lacks clear definitions and measurement metrics, making it difficult to compare interventions and their effects on lifespan and healthspan.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedOne Health: A new definition for a sustainable and healthy future
One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), Wiku B. Adisasmito, Salama Almuhairi, Casey Barton Behravesh, Pépé Bilivogui, Salome A. Bukachi, Natalia Casas, Natalia Cediel Becerra, Dominique F. Charron, Abhishek Chaudhary, Janice R. Ciacci Zanella, Andrew A. Cunningham, Osman Dar, Nitish Debnath, Baptiste Dungu, Elmoubasher Farag, George F. Gao, David T. S. Hayman, Margaret Khaitsa, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Catherine Machalaba, John S. Mackenzie, Wanda MarkotterID *, Thomas C. MettenleiterID*, Serge Morand, Vyacheslav Smolenskiy, Lei Zhou
Highly CitedDo healthier nurses make better health promotors? A review of the literature.
Healthy nursing practice is influenced by the organizational environment and educational exposure to health promoting opportunities, with action learning being an effective tool for addressing barriers.
Literature ReviewHealthism and the Medicalization of Everyday Life
Healthism, focusing on individual health and self-care, is a form of medicalization that promotes non-political health promotion and reinforces the privatization of generalized well-being.
Highly Cited