"Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” according to the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 2022, By Constitution sec., p. 1). The aging population has needs that require value-based care, and goals are not clear with this definition (Card et al., 2017). There is need for a practical definition, for the purposes of health system evaluation and design (Card et al., 2017).
Definition of Health
"Health is the experience of physical and psychological well-being" (Card et al., 2017, pp.127-137). In this definition, a continuum as opposed to a dichotomy distinguishes between poor health and good health (Card et al., 2017). This definition acknowledges good health to not depend upon disability and/or disease absenteeism (Card et al.,2017). Value-based care is where goals and the patient are of priority (Card et al., 2017). Health status measurement is important in this definition, where health status preservation and improvement is set as the aim (Card et al., 2017). I believe that this definition is helpful and relevant today because life experiences are ever-changing, are different for every individual, and do not occur in a fixed manner. This includes "experiences that people have with their physical and psychological well-being" (Card et al., 2017, pp. 127-137).
WHO Definition; Criticisms
Measurement of health is challenging due to the absolute nature of the word "complete" in the WHO definition (Oleribe et al., 2018). Society medicalization is an issue with this definition (Huber et al., 2011). Challenges of a social, mental, and/or physical nature are impossible to avoid, being a normal part of life ( Huber et al., 2011; Oleribe et al., 2018; Smith, 2008). Are we all considered to be of ill health according to the WHO definition? ( Huber et al., 2011; Oleibe ei al., 2018, Smith, 2008). "It supports the tendencies of the medical technology and drug industries, in association with professional organizations, to redefine diseases, expanding the scope of the healthcare system" (Huber et al., 2011, p.343).
References
Card, A. J. (2017). Moving Beyond the WHO Definition of Health: A New Perspective for an
Aging World and the Emerging Era of Value-Based Care. World Medical & Health Policy,
9(1), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.221
Huber, M., Knottnerus, J. A., Green, L., Horst, H. v. d., Jadad, A. R., Kromhout, D., Leonard, B.,
Lorig, K., Loureiro, M. I., Meer, J. W. M. v. d., Schnabel, P., Smith, R., Weel, C. v., & Smid,
H. (2011). How should we define health? BMJ, 343. 163.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d4163
Oleribe, O. O., Ukwedeh, O., Burstow, N. J., Gomaa, A. I., Sonderup, M. W., Cook, N.,
Waked, I., Spearman, W., & Taylor-Robinson, S. D. (2018). Health: redefined. Pan African
Medical Journal, 30(292). https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2018.30.292.15436
Smith, R. (2008, July 8). Richard Smith: The end of disease and the beginning of health. The BMJ Opinion. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2008/07/08/richard-smith-the-end-of-disease-and-the-beginning-of-health/
World Health Organization. (2022). Constitution. World Health Organization.
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