What Is Health? And What Are the Best Practices for Maintaining Health?

The word “health” has many definitions, ranging from physical and mental to social and economic. However, what exactly is health? And what are the best practices for maintaining health? These questions are addressed in this article. Let’s begin by reviewing some common misconceptions about health. While these misconceptions are often rooted in misunderstandings about health, they should not be viewed as an excuse for not doing your part to prevent ill health.

Having a good definition of health is critical. In 1950, the WHO defined health as a “complete state of well-being.” It was also shocking to note that the average life expectancy in the United States was only 48 for men and 53 for women. Diabetic diseases like polio and diphtheria were a major cause of low life expectancies, as was infant mortality. Since then, however, we have seen a dramatic shift in chronic diseases. In mid-century, heart disease, stroke, and cancer were the top three causes of death in most countries. Now, these diseases are no longer major killers, but they are major causes of premature death and disability.

The definition of “good health” is a multifaceted concept that reflects the environment in which people live. Health is a crucial resource for everyday life, a vital resource that determines an individual’s ability to participate in society. In a sense, health is a social construct that affects all aspects of life, including economic and educational outcomes. The definition of “good health” should be broad and flexible enough to accommodate this. The same goes for physical activity.