Question
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. ~World Health Organization, 1948
Sample paper
Discuss the above statement giving consideration to the various points of view of diverse community groups.
Health
Most individuals associate health with the physical well-being of the body. The physical health is directly related to the body, which most people associate to be the definition of health. However, mental health is another aspect of health which is often ignored by majority in the definition of health. Another term closely related to health is physical well-being. The physical well-being of an individual refers to adopting all the lifestyle components related to health. Physical health can be divided into chemical and structural health. There are different definitions of health. The World Health Organization (1948) defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (p. 2). This paper will dwell deeper into the aforementioned definition of health from the standpoint of diverse communities.
In the U.S., the World Health Organization’s definition of health is the commonly accepted definition. Nonetheless, WHO’s definition of health have received criticism from a number of quarters. As such, there are a number of definitions of health currently. This definition of health includes the concept of wellbeing. Wellbeing involves the perceptions of individuals concerning their lives. Wellbeing is a much broader term that encompasses a number of aspects in an individual’s life. Other definitions of health are also available. Bircher (2005) defines health as “a dynamic state of well-being characterized by a physical and mental potential, which satisfies the demands of life commensurate with age, culture, and personal responsibility” (p. 355). Bircher’s (2005) definition of health has become generally accepted as a contemporary definition of health. This definition comes amid rising criticism of WHO’s definition of health due to several inherent shortcomings.
The World Health Organization’s definition of health is often criticized due the use of the word “complete”, which may not be possible in a number of cases. It may not be possible for an individual to be in a complete state, yet the individual may still be healthy. For instance, considering a person who has lost a limb through amputation, such a person may not be complete in the sense of physical well-being. Though still, such as person may be considered healthy if he/she is not in any form of pain and has recovered from the amputation. In addition, WHO’s definition does not into account the changing health needs of individuals especially with respect to their age. Bricher’s (2005) definition of health takes into account the changes in health needs of individuals as they advance in age. Thus even aged persons who can be capable of satisfying their various personal demands can be termed as healthy, irrespective of whether they are considerably weaker than when they were younger.
The World Health Organization’s definition of health has been considered rational over time due to its focus on more than one aspect of health. For instance, the definition focuses on the physical, mental and social aspects of health. The criticism leveled against this definition is only in the use of the word “complete” as it may not be possible to achieve such a state. It is not possible to have perfect heath as WHO’s definition suggests. It is also important to consider the health of the mind as well as that of the body. According to WHO’s definition, lack of disease does not necessarily mean that a person is healthy. This is because there are other factors other than diseases or illnesses that can cause individuals to be regarded as unhealthy. This has led to formulation of other health definitions which eliminate the weakness in the WHO’s definition of health.
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The U.S. lays emphasis on the three aspects of health outlined by WHO’s definition; that is the physical, social and mental health of individuals. The physical aspect of health pertains to the normal functioning of the body system. There are a number of factors considered in determining physical well-being. These factors include fitness, Body Mass Index, and the working of the various organs (Goodacre, Collins, & Slattery, 2013). In order to maintain sound physical fitness, individuals must exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. The social aspect pertains to the ability of an individual to interact well with others in the community. Human beings are social in nature and hence must learn how to interact with others. Interacting well with other individuals enhances good social health. The mental aspect refers to the ability to make sound decisions and is able to cope with challenging situations in life. Mentally sound individuals should also be able to make positive contribution to the community (Goodacre, Collins, & Slattery, 2013).
The Chinese concept of health introduces a different perspective to the definition and meaning of health which is rather different from that of the western world. The Chinese practice of medicine also differs significantly compared to that of the western world. Chinese medicine emphasizes on harmony or balance between the various energy systems in the body as the key to being healthy. Disharmony in the energy system is thought to cause diseases or illnesses. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes on the concept of Qi, Yi and yang to describe health. Qi refers to the body’s vital energy, while yi and yang represent the forces that sustain existence and all opposite elements. As mentioned earlier, Qi is a form of energy and is universal. Since Qi is a form of energy, it contains all the characteristics of energy. According to Chinese medicine, a happy and healthy individual is the one who maintains harmony in all aspects of Qi. Qi is always in a constant state of transformation within the body. Just like energy, it cannot be created and neither destroyed. However, it can be transformed from one aspect to another (Kohn, 2011).
Yin and yang are also important aspects of Qi in the traditional Chinese medicine. These represent opposite ways in which Qi can manifest itself. Yin and yang are thus opposites in that if yin is manifested as dark, then yang is manifested as ligh. If yin tends to be material, then yang is immaterial. The relationship between the two is that each aspect contains some element of the other, but in different variations. For instance anything that is immaterial must also have some material substance within it. Yin and yang are always in a state of balance, meaning they regularly adjust to maintain balance within the body. When Qi is in a state of balance (the elements of yin and yang balance as expected), the individual achieves happiness and a state of well-being. Too much or less of any aspect can lead to pain or suffering. Harmony of the aspects thus determines the status of health of an individual (Seaward, 2011).
In Chinese medicine, bacteria and viruses are not the only causes of disease; rather, a state of disharmony among the various elements (yin and yang) which disrupt Qi can lead to diseases or ill-health among individuals. To the Chinese, health is unrestricted or free flow of subtle energy through the body. This energy (Qi) flows in the body through specific channels or gates. When the energy gates are blocked or in some way congested, a state of disharmony arises in the state of energy balance within the body. Such a disturbance results to pain or suffering. Chinese medicine acknowledges the fact that disease-causing organisms are present everywhere. When the body has harmonious and unrestricted energy flow, it is able to develop resistance to the disease-causing microorganisms. However, if the energy channels become blocked, resistance to the pathogens is reduced, causing disease or illness. This is why in Chinese medicine treatment often involves methods such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and other methods aimed at maintaining harmony among the various aspects (Seaward, 2011).
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Other diverse community groups such as the indigenous Australians have different perspectives and definition of health. The Aboriginals greatly emphasize on community welfare in defining health. The indigenous Australia’s definition of health also includes a spiritual aspect of wellbeing. According to (Berman, A. et al., 2014), the Indigenous Australians define health as not just pertaining to the physical wellbeing but also pertaining to the spiritual, social, cultural, and emotional wellness of the entire community. The Medical Research Council of Australia in conjunction with Aboriginal Health has accepted the aforementioned definition of health. The council integrates the community’s values, principles, and beliefs matters concerning health. Although the health services are delivered to individuals, the overall goal is to improve the lives of individuals with respect to the entire community. The health of particular individuals is assessed in terms of the community in its entirety.
In the Aboriginal concept of health, individuals are able to achieve full productivity by leading healthy lives, enabling them to be useful members of the community. If majority of the individuals within the community are healthy, then the entire community becomes productive. This is because each individual contributes to the well-being of the whole community (Talbot & Verinder, 2009). There are a number of distinct features in the Aboriginal community’s understanding of health. First, the Aboriginals emphasize on community control whereby each community is expected to solve any emerging health issues. The community is in charge of the decision making processes in matters concerning health. Second, the community’s understanding of health takes a wholistic approach. This, as earlier mentioned involves taking health issues afflicting individuals as matters concerning the entire community. Third, there is the element of cultural respect whereby the specific cultural believes, values and norms of the society have been integrated in understanding of health.
The Australian definition of health brings to light the interplay of multiple aspects that are involved in defining an individual’s health; cultural factors, personal factors, social factors, interpersonal factors, environmental factors, and spiritual factors, all of which determine the health of individuals (Talbot & Verinder, 2009). The aboriginal community’s health definition reveals the multiple ways in which the health of individuals can be improved through community programs, government programs and through formulation of appropriate policies. The government and health policy makers can be able to formulate better health guidelines when they are provided with data derived from the local population. Through a keen analysis of the local community, the government has been able to identify a number of key concerns within the health sector. For instance, the role of education in improving the health of the community, importance of social support networks, physical environment, importance of culture and kinship, and among other concerns (Talbot & Verinder, 2009). Improving on these would help in promoting the health of Individuals.
Health is multi-dimensional in nature, and that is why there exists varied definitions and understanding in different communities. India’s definition of health is also slightly similar from other communities. According to cite, the heath of an individual can be assessed in terms of four major aspects: mental, social, physical and the spiritual aspect. These aspects describe the health or wellbeing of individuals. Health can also be defined in other ways for instance, the ability of individuals to abide by the outlined societal norms and values. Health is thus a complex issue, as evident from the multiple definitions and understanding of the concept in diverse communities. An individual may be in perfect physical condition, and yet be in a bad mental status. On the other hand, an individual can be disabled yet be of sound mind. Health is thus a complex issue.
India’s concept of health is different from that of the western world in that it emphasizes more on the mind, body, and spirit (Micozzi & McCown, 2013). Health and healing are thus determined by the spirit and body’s energy. India’s concept of health also emphasizes more on spiritual consciousness as an important determinant of the healing process. India’s practice of health is similar to China’s practice in that in both cases, there is a fundamental belief that the body’s energy system is responsible for maintaining the well-being in individuals. Any state of disharmony is expected to result to disease or illness. India’s healing traditions relied heavily on practices such as meditation, yoga, and other movement activities which were meant to restore the normal functioning of an individual’s nervous system. The healing traditions normally revolve around the mind, body, and spirit (Micozzi & McCown, 2013). India’s health practices focused on prevention strategies as well as curative strategies to help reduce suffering.
In conclusion, health encompasses three basic aspects: the physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Majority of diverse community groups understand health in terms of the three aforementioned elements. Nonetheless, some of the diverse community groups may include additional aspects in the definition and understanding of wealth. Certain community groups include spiritual wellbeing as part of their understanding of health while others believe in community wellbeing as part of the definition of health. Generally, health can be defined in different ways based on the diverse community groups and their understanding of various issues that affect human beings. In line with this, diverse community groups have distinct ways of treating various ailments occasioned by the different understanding and definition of health. For instance the Asian community holds a strong belief about disharmony of the various body elements as the main cause of disease or illness. Thus communities have different understanding and definition of health.
References
Berman, A. et al., (2014). Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing Australian Edition. Pearson Higher Education AU.
Bircher, J. (2005). Towards a dynamic definition of health and disease. Med. Health Care Philos, 8(3): 335-41.
Goodacre, S., Collins, C., & Slattery, C. (2013). Cambridge VCE Health and Human Development Units 1 and 2 Pack. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kohn, L. (2011). Health Maintenance in Ancient China. International Journal of Medical Science, 8, 26 -42.
Micozzi, M. S., & McCown, D. (2013). Vital healing: Energy, mind and spirit in traditional medicines of India, Tibet and the Middle East – Middle Asia. London: Singing Dragon.
Seaward, B. L. (2011). Health and wellness: Journal workbook. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Talbot, L., & Verinder, G. (2009). Promoting health: A primary health care approach. Sydney, N.S.W: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
World Health Organization. (2006). Constitution of the World Health Organization – Basic Documents, Forty-fifth edition, Supplement.
