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Related Concept Videos

Concepts of Health and Illness01:29

Concepts of Health and Illness

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Health is a condition of the body, mind, and spirit where an individual remains free from illness. Similarly, wellness is an active state, including living a lifestyle that promotes physical, mental, and emotional health. Physical health is critical for the overall well-being and can be affected by lifestyle, activity level, diet, and behavior. The highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental and universal human right. Consider Lisa, a fifteen-year-old born with congenital...
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International Nursing Organizations II01:28

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The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva. The WHO has many initiatives that center around health. Primarily, they lead global efforts to expand universal health coverage using science-based policies and programs. They are also responsible for shaping health research agendas and developing norms and standards.
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Dimensions of Health and Illness01:21

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The factors influencing the health-illness continuum can be internal or external and may or may not be under conscious control. They are related to the following eight human dimensions, and each dimension is interrelated to one other.
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Theories play an essential role in organizing patient care. Theories refer to a proposed or followed belief, policy, or procedure that is the basis for action. Nursing theories are knowledge-based concepts that guide nurses' actions, influence nursing education and practice, and allow nurses to care for their patients.
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The person's health status fluctuates continually, varying from being in good health to becoming ill and returning to being healthy. To understand the concept of illness prevention, there are two models. First, the health-illness continuum model is a graphic representation of an individual's wellness. It states that a person is considered healthy in the absence of physical disease and the presence of good emotional health.
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Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention01:26

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Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
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Health as Complete Well-Being: The WHO Definition and Beyond.

Thomas Schramme1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of Liverpool, Gillian Howie House, Mulberry Street, Liverpool, L69 7SH, UK.

Public Health Ethics
|February 9, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The World Health Organization's definition of health emphasizes holistic well-being, not perfection. Reinterpreting "complete" as exhaustive clarifies its holistic and political relevance.

Area of Science:

  • Health Studies
  • Philosophy of Medicine
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health as 'complete physical, mental and social well-being' faces criticism.
  • Common objections stem from a perceived unattainable standard of 'perfect' health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To defend the WHO definition of health against common criticisms.
  • To propose an alternative interpretation of the term 'complete' within the definition.
  • To distinguish between holistic and perfect notions of health.

Main Methods:

  • Historical analysis of the WHO definition.
  • Analytical examination of the term 'complete'.
  • Philosophical argumentation on the concept of health.

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Main Results:

  • The word 'complete' in the WHO definition can be interpreted as 'exhaustive' rather than 'perfect'.
  • This interpretation supports a holistic model of health, encompassing all constitutive features.
  • The WHO definition advocates for a holistic, not a perfect, state of health.

Conclusions:

  • The holistic interpretation of the WHO health definition is more aligned with its original intent.
  • Both holistic and perfect health concepts have relevance, but the holistic view is more politically pragmatic.
  • Revisiting the definition's interpretation is crucial for public health policy and understanding of health.