What is the 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.

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.