The Definition of Health

While it is essential for each individual to pursue a healthy lifestyle, our definition of health varies according to our environment. For example, people who live in coastal areas might have heart attacks from shovelling snow in mountains, while those who live in the tropics might suffer from shortness of breath and anemia due to a lack of sunlight. Similarly, people who live in the city may not be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle in a mountainous area. Hence, it is vital to adapt a health definition that can accommodate change in the natural environment.

According to the World Health Organisation, health is complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Promoting health can be achieved by encouraging and engaging in healthful activities, reducing and avoiding unhealthy situations, and educating individuals about healthy practices. Some factors can have a profound impact on the state of one’s health. For example, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle, and poor physical condition are all factors that affect one’s health. But these factors are not the only ones that affect the state of our health.

Despite the importance of personal choices in determining one’s health, there are social determinants of health that affect all of us. These conditions are a part of our lives, and the conditions in which we live, work, and age are fundamental to our health. Moreover, they can affect our health in different ways, depending on the societal context and our lifestyle choices. If we don’t make our personal choices in these areas, we will not be able to maintain good health.