Health And Social Care Concept Analysis

In 1946 the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition integrates the main concepts of health and identifies that health can be viewed differently by individuals and groups (Bowden, 2006). Health and well-being are the result of a combination of physical, social, intellectual and emotional factors (Dunkley, 2000a).

The definition of health is the state of being free from illness and injury, it can also be used to explain a person’s mental or physical condition.

There are a lot of different definitions of health and ill health all of which are socially constructed; meaning that social issues usually influence a new theory or alter an old definition of health. In this section I will be analysing different definitions of health and ill health.

According to the dictionary, the word health is “the state of being free from illness.” At a first glance, this defination seems to be very direct and simple, however the meaning of the word ‘health’ nowadays is much more complex. The above definition pretty much sums up our view of health in the first half of the 20th century.

In most cases, the word health is linked to mental health more than physical health but the two are related. Therefore, the meaning of health could be defined in relation to the individual since it depends on the condition of the situation. Thus Medilexicon’s Medical Dictionary (2004-2014) define health as the state of individual functioning in their best and most desirable way without suffering from any disease or abnormality in their body system. Otherwise, it is a state of being an active balance whereby individuals are able to cope with all the living circumstances such as caring for family, going to work, contributing to the community and so on, to their best level of life.

World Health Organization (WHO), in 1948, cited in Hayden & Macdonald, 2000), health was defined as being "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".

The W.H.O. (World Health Organisation) defines health as, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease infirmity” (1948). This definition stands to this present day, and is the most commonly referred to by health professionals and text books.

According to Floyd, Mimms and Yelding (2008) Webster’s Dictionary defines health as “the condition of being sound in body, mind and spirit… freedom from physical disease or pain.” This definition has very much taken the holistic view. Wellbeing is a term in which reflects on the positive emphasis on health and can be broken down into six aspects know as environmental, physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual. To achieve a high balance of wellbeing it is vital that a person is able to balance and take care of each aspect effectively. Underdown (2007) implies that in 1948 the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity.’ This definition took a holistic view as it mentions mental and social wellbeing and it was supported as it focused on a person being healthy rather than not being ill. However, this definition has been widely criticized. Seedhouse (1986) believed that for someone to be in perfect state of health is unachievable and unrealistic.

There are many different interpretations of what the word “healthy” really means. For example, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social

A definition of health and well-being can be adapted to individuals themselves and how they define health as a whole, it can be when they feel healthy as a person from change of diet or when another person comments on their appearance "you look well”, another definition on health comes from Talcott parsons (1971) and believed that health can depends on a person’s role within their life, are they a Mother, Father, Carer, a Doctors or a Nurse. Parsons proposed if an individual you were unable to carry out these roles, then this could result in ill health therefore adopting the “sick Role” (Mechanic, D & Vodkart, EH. (1961).

How do you define health? Is health defined by the absence of illness, or do you incorporate values like psychological and spiritual health?

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

”Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." (WHO, 1948) Wellness

Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person 's mind and body, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain (as in "good health" or "healthy"). The World Health

Health is just more than just the absence of an illness. Health is a state of well-being that is made up of: physical, mental and social interactions. Those three factors and being free of disease is what make up your health.