DEFINITION OF HEALTH
The current definition of health by the World Health Organization (WHO) is no longer adequate for the challenges of the health care system today (Leonardi, 2018). The WHO definition of health explains health as being a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being (Oleribe et al., 2018). This definition has become unfit for dealing with today’s challenges arising from the increase in the aging population and chronic illness, due to the improvement in health care keeping people alive longer. Due to these new challenges WHO’s definition of health needs changing (Leonardi, 2018). Some criticize the WHO’s definition of health as being impossible to reach a state of complete well-being. Leonardi (2018) explains the problem aspects of the WHO’s definition of health, as being not useful in real situations due to the definition not being operational or measurable. Another problem aspect of the WHO definition of health is the definition implies a life free of poverty, vices, iniquity, discrimination, violence, oppression and war. Society deals with these problems on daily basis. Also, the WHO definition of health correlates well-being with health. We feel sorrow at times when dealing with a negative event, not well-being. With the WHO definition of health a loss of well-being would be a loss of health. If this were the case we would lose health almost everyday (Leonardi, 2018). This reaction is a realistic reaction to a negative situation and should not be considered a loss of well-being, thus, we would be losing health on regular basis. Leonardi (2018) also explains the WHO’s definition of health does not include malaise in their definition of health which excludes a large population from the possibility of being healthy. For example, aging people and those with a chronic illness may view their health as an ability to live with a disease and restrictions and to accept their deficits. Even though they have a chronic illness they may see themselves as having reached well-being due to adapting to their deficits. Oleribe et al., 2018 states today the world is unhealthy due to society’s attitudes, habits and an aging population that partake in an unhealth lifestyle. Also, contributing to an unhealthy world are the continuous negative news stories of terrorism, manslaughter, and kidnapping. Oleribe et al., describe health should be redefined as a satisfactory and acceptable state of physical, mental, emotional, economic and social well-being.
Leonardi, F. (201). The definition of health: Towards new perspectives. International Journal of Health Services, 48 (4), 735-748.
Oleribe, O. O., Ukwedeh, O., Burstow, N. J., Gomaa, A. I., Sonderup, M. W., Cook, N., Waked, I., Spearman, W., & Taylor-Robinson. (2018). Health: Redefined. PanAfrican Medical Journal, 30, 292-294.