[Health and the quality of life. Concepts and definitions]

The concepts "health" and "quality of life" have multiple meanings and are both unsatisfactorily defined. At least three different meanings of health can be identified: as the absence of illness; as a personal characteristic; and as a state of equilibrium and well-being. Broadly speaking, quality of life has been conceived in four different ways: as satisfaction with life; as satisfaction of defined needs; as happiness; and as self-realization and growth. It is argued that health and quality of life should be viewed as complementary concepts with a considerable overlap, but also with distinct features. Both concepts are needed. However, they should be more precisely defined in relation to each other.