What Are Health Aspects?
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of full mental, physical and social well being and not just the absence of illness and infirmity. A number of definitions have also been used over the years. For example, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine defines health as “the balance of healthy components in the body and the assurance that healthy components will maintain or enhance the normal functions of body systems.” The Mayo Clinic emphasizes the need for a balanced and nutritious diet and highlights the importance of regular physical activity for optimal health. The American College of Nutrition highlights the need for a well-balanced diet and promotes the use of foods that are natural, wholesome, and contain low levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar, and trans fat. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines health as “the condition of a person’s health, which includes the ability to participate in the community in the manner expected for his or her age, health, culture, educational level, and personality.”
There are a number of factors that are included in the definition of health outcomes. These factors include the number of people within the population, the age and health of the population, the socioeconomic status of the population, the environment in which the population lives, the availability of health services, and the extent of geographic diversity. All these factors interact with one another and impact health. The interdependence of the factors leads to the development of several profiles that affect health: general health, total health, vitality, disability, quality of life, and economic standing and ability to pay.
The current definition of health emphasizes the interdependence of multiple factors to produce a profile of health status. This profile of health status is used by professionals to assess individuals, families, communities, and organizations at different stages of their life. These factors can then be utilized to improve overall health and the well-being of a person or community.