What Is Health, and Why Is It Important?
The definition of Health covers a wide range of conditions and diseases that affect humans. The Universal Health Care definition is “exurance of health,” which means “to meet the needs of the public through the comprehensive delivery of health care services and preventive health programs.” In the United States, the National Health Service or the Department of Health and Human Services defines Health as “the ability of individuals to receive quality health care and the ability of institutions to provide quality health care.” The U.S. Department of Education also uses the term Health in its framework of education.
Health, as explored by various definitions over the years, is a condition of the body, mind and spirit that impact the quality of life. Medical and health sciences professionals use a variety of methods to study health, including life-course approaches, individual health management, community health, epidemiology and prevention. A wide variety of societal factors are involved in determining the health of an individual. Some of these factors include: genetic, physiological, social and cultural aspects. All these factors are interrelated and contribute to the overall health of an individual.
The health promotion and management concept are focused on identifying the patterns and practices that lead to health disparities and to the reduction of health disparities. The health promotion strategy is integrated with public health, devising strategies to reduce health disparities. The strategies may be implemented by government, school districts, community organizations and school nurses. For example, school nurses plan services to address differences in health status and health behaviors among students. Community partners provide services to identify and reduce inequities.
HEALTH AND EVALUATION: An assessment of current health promotion measures and policies aimed at reducing health disparities is called the health promotion strategy analysis. This includes an assessment of the health promotion activities of schools, communities, families and groups, targeting disadvantaged areas, women and children, providers and consumers. Vital health promotion activities include promoting healthy diets and foods, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol and drug use. Vital health interventions may include promoting clean water, clear air, proper immunization, regular screening for diabetes and HIV/AIDS, and elimination of outdoor air pollution. Surveillance of chronic conditions, such as cancer and diabetes, and their prevention, as well as treatment and control is part of the public health practice.
The concept of heath was introduced by the National Institutes of Health to define the disease process, its causes, prevention, and treatments. It is now used as a source of basic information for researchers, professionals, and the general public. The definition of “good health” was first published in measles epidemic of 18urbans in measles, cholera, and typhoid fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a definition of good health is having minimal risk of death or disability from health problems, and being able to cope with normal stresses of life. Good health promotes preventing the spread of diseases by practicing safe sex, delaying childbearing, using contraceptives, and using vaccination. It also requires using preventive measures when the risk of acquiring a disease is high.
In order for any society to be effective in the practice of public health, individuals must be knowledgeable on disease prevention and on how to deal with public health emergencies. In this regard, health education and promotion are key elements in the field of health promotion. Health education is defined as the process by which individuals are informed about the conditions, risks, advantages, and possible treatments of health problems and how to protect themselves and their family members from such conditions. Promotion is the act or procedure of making available of information to the public, especially to those who may be at risk, about the occurrence of an outbreak or occurrence of a certain disease. Health promotion is considered one of the cornerstones of a society’s ability to survive and procreate.