Defining Health in the Twenty-First Century
- ALeeRDH
- May 31, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 1, 2019
The World Health Organization (n.d.) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (para. 1). This definition has been criticized over the years, though there hasn’t been a suitable definition created to replace it. Why is that? Huber (2011) stated the greatest criticism of the WHO definition of health is the notion that a state of well-being must be “complete” or absolute. One’s state of health changes with age; it is a natural progression and an individual’s perception of health at varying stages of life must be considered in defining “health”.
In the 21st century, the state of “health” for Canadians looks different than decades before. In 1951, three years after the World Health Organization published their definition of “health” the average life span of men and women in Canada was 66.4 years and 70.9 years respectively. In 2018, the life span for men and women has extended to 79.0 and 83.0 years respectively (Statistics Canada, 2016). Advances in medicine, technology as well as universal health care can be attributed to Canadians’ longevity. For example, many Canadians live with heart disease. Though it is the second highest cause of death in Canada, early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and medical interventions have decreased the mortality rate by 23% in Canada from 2000/01 to 2012/13 (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2016).
Here lies the question; can a person be considered healthy if they have some form of disease? I believe that they can. In my opinion, a state of health is subjective to the individual. For example, I am a 29-year-old female with mild asthma. I am able to eat nutritiously, exercise, work in my field of interest, and engage in social activities that I enjoy. I am able to meet the WHO criteria of obtaining a state of physical, mental and social well-being, with a slight modification of an asthma inhaler as needed. Card (2017) proposed a new definition of health that aligns with how I perceive health:
Health is the experience of physical and psychological well-being.
Good health and poor health do not occur as a dichotomy, but as a
continuum. The absence of disease is neither sufficient nor necessary
to produce a state of good health. (p.131)
This definition eliminates the concept that health is an “absolute” but rather, dynamic. Bircher (2005) added a valid point that demands on an individual’s health will change over their lifespan, and as we age, being able to adapt is indicative of our state of health.
Defining health may be an issue itself, as health may be better described as a concept. Definitions are rigid, created to give the exact meaning of a word, while concepts are more abstract. I support a concept of health and believe it will evolve with time, as individuals evolve through their life stages of “health”.
References:
Bircher, J. (2005). Towards a Dynamic Definition of Health and Disease. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 8(3), 335-341. Retrieved May 30, 2019 from
Card, A. (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.
Huber, M. (2011). Health: How should we define it? BMJ: British Medical Journal, 343(7817), 235-237. Retrieved from http://0-www.jstor.org.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/stable/23051314
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2016, May). Heart disease in Canada. Retrieved May 30, 2019 from https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/diseases-conditions/heart-disease-maladies-coeur-eng.pdf
Statistics Canada. (2016, September 28). Life expectancy at birth, by sex, Canada, 1956 to 2005. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-229-x/2009001/demo/desc/lif-desc2.0-eng.htm
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Constitution. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/constitution
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