Exploring Different Perspectives of Health

We encounter the term "health" daily, yet the World Health Organization (WHO) has not evolved their definition despite various suggestions over the past 75 years or the advances in healthcare and public perceptions of what health is. McCartney et al. (2019) present a contemporary perspective by defining health as “a structural, functional, and emotional state that is compatible with effective life as an individual and as a member of society." This definition underscores the functional interplay between physical, emotional, and social well-being, emphasizing that health is something one might experience rather than merely possess.

In contrast, the WHO defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity," setting a high standard for absolute well-being (WHO, 1948). According to this definition, one must not only be free of disease and infirmity but also maintain an ideal state of mental and social well-being.

Both definitions recognize health as multidimensional. However, McCartney substitutes "structural" for "physical" thus capturing the underlying systems and frameworks that affect health. As well as replacing “emotional" for "mental" to broaden the idea that health includes one’s feelings and efficacy rather than just cognitive and intellectual processes. Furthermore, they also replace the absoluteness of the word "complete" with the term "functional” as mentioned previously (McCartney et al. 2019).

In 2011, the United Nations held its first summit on non-communicable diseases, prompting Huber et al. (2011) to revisit the question, "How should we define health?" They critiqued the term "complete" as rigid, neglecting minor issues now detectable with technological advances (Huber et al., 2011). McCartney et al. (2019) echo these critiques, arguing that this rigidity diminishes the relevance of the definition in today's context and its impact on societal participation and health.

While the WHO’s definition has emphasized holistic well-being and has remained unchanged for the past 75 years, McCartney et al.'s definition offers a more comprehensive perspective. It encompasses structural and emotional wellness, contributing to the development of functional well-being. This perspective is particularly relevant in today's healthcare systems, which have become increasingly proactive. Living with a disease or infirmity does not always equate to being unhealthy, highlighting the relevance of McCartney et al.'s approach.

References:

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(jul26 2), d4163–d4163. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d4163

McCartney, G., Popham, F., McMaster, R., & Cumbers, A. (2019). Defining health and health inequalities. Public Health, 172, 22–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2019.03.023

World Health Organization. (1948). Constitution of the World Health Organization. couv arabe.indd (who.int)