Conceptualization of Health

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Abstract

This essay aims at identifying and discussing the various types of health concepts that are currently most prominent. In addition, the essay takes an inherent view of the author’s own opinion of health and makes a comparative analysis of the author’s concept of health with the studied concepts. The essay also takes a critical assessment of disease and infirmity according to the discussed concepts of health and also takes a look at the influence that the changing concepts of health has on public health and the management of diseases as well as identifies various patterns of health globally in different periods of time. Furthermore, different perceptions of health, wellbeing, disease and death among differing societies are discussed in addition to modern practices which are likely to change health concepts.

Introduction

The precise definition of health is multifaceted and dynamic since different individuals, professionals and practices perceive health variably and the diverse views usually form the framework of health. There are generally four theoretical forms of health also known as the concepts of health that are presented to recapitulate the existing implication of health. There is the medical concept of health which is the most extensively employed description in most urban centers and developed nations such as the United Kingdom, European nations and the United States. There is also the World Health Organization (WHO) concept of health which is increasingly achieving recognition through out the world due to the broad conceptualization of health. There is also the wellness concept of health as well as the environmental concept of health and are fairly new concepts that are yet to receive widespread acceptance. Through the conception and amalgamation of various concepts of health, the diagnosis of illnesses and the potential for developing superior medical products as well as the quality of care are greatly augmented. The theoretical classification exertion is an overture to advancing health status appraisal in a multiplicity of perspectives and thus allowing diagnosis to be performed through various processes.

Self valuation of health

Health to me is the general well being of an individual such that the person is able to function properly using both the mental and physical faculties. Therefore, according to me an individual who is incapable of similar mental function as those of his peers is ill and so is an individual with impaired or deteriorating bodily function. The main influence behind my perspective of health and illness is society, which plays a daily role in the way I reflect. Health and illness can only be observed on the physical body of an individual or through their behavior and this is a notion that was passed to individuals by parents and society in general. Medical books and journals such as that written by Zhang (2002) have also been instrumental in helping me understand health and illness from different angles. I am now able to understand mental illnesses such as neurodegenerative diseases that affect the brain but are later capable of causing physical malfunction. Physical illnesses on the other hand affect the body organs but rarely affect the brain hence the brain is more likely to contract lethal since it controls the rest of the body. Health is therefore the concise functioning of the brain and the body with every organ functioning as is supposed to.

The Medical concept of health

In medical terms, health is perceived as the physical well being of the human body. For a human body to be considered healthy under the medical concept of health, all body organs have to actively perform their role in sustaining the optimum functions of the body(Reidpath, 2005). This means that all body systems such as the digestive systems, tracheal system, blood system, excretion systems as well as the mechanical systems have to perform their respective functions without the assistance of foreign aid (Green & Tones, 2010). In additions, endocrine and exocrine organs have to function optimally to ensure the body has an efficient supply of hormones and enzymes. Illness in medical terms is therefore the irregular performance or complete nonperformance of an organ or several body organs (Zhang, 2002). Health is subsequently restored through the administration of medication or through surgery to restore the function of the organ.

The World Health Organization concept of health

According to the World Health Organization, health is not simply the lack of illness or disease but a preexisting condition whereby the body and mind are in complete wellness while the social interaction of an individual is also excellent. The World Health Organization further identifies health as a daily source for life hence wellbeing is not the purpose of living rather it supports living (Reidpath, 2005). Health is therefore a constructive conception that puts prominence on social and personal prosperity, in addition to physical faculties. The World Health Organization goes further to define health through group modules for instance the WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC), which is made up of the worldwide cataloging of performance, wellbeing, disability and illness(Green & Tones, 2010). The World Health Organization also has the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), an international categorization of diseases and infirmity according to the pathogens responsible for the diseases, transference of the diseases as well as the treatability and duration of treatment.

The Wellness concept of health

A fairly new concept, the wellness concept of health adds several dynamics into the overall perception of health. This concept introduces a presumption that overall physical and mental functions are greatly influenced by the spirit and soul (Zhang, 2002). Consequently, alternate levels of consciousness are considered the means to attaining health by inducing a peaceful coexistence of all the human levels of existence which are mind, body, soul and spirit (Zhang, 2002). According to Reidpath (2005); “Health is reflected in form of subconscious vibrations one emits signifying their health status. Illness is considered the disharmony or imbalance of the different levels of existence which is then manifested in the form of physical or mental illness”.

The Environmental concept of health

According to Reidpath (2005), the immediate surroundings of an individual are considered to be the greatest determinants of that person’s health. The immediate surroundings include but not limited to the source of water, source of air, habitat and the source of food. Health is conceived through the existence of a clean environment where the source of the chemical of life is hygienic (Green & Tones, 2010) and therefore a clean environment is that which is well organized such that the clean input and unwanted output are significantly separated.

Analysis of health

Previously, my outlook of health was that of mental and physical wellness where all the body and brain organs were working effectively to meet the body’s demand. However, that perception has since changed and I now understand that health has several dynamics apart from the mental and physical levels. With the help of this study, I have been able to discern various other concepts of health that were previously unknown to me. Considering the health concepts discussed above, it is apparent that I only had a one dimension perception of health which is through the medical concept of health that primarily deals with the wellness of the brain and the body. I came across the World Health Organization concept of health and can now understand why it is viewed as the most widely accepted concept. The concept basically incorporates the medical concept into all the human spheres of life such as social and expressive health.

In general, health according to The World Health Organization is attained by amalgamating the bodily, intellectual, emotional, and societal welfare thus forming the Health Triangle, which is considered to be a state of all round wellness (Reidpath, 2005). Illness according to the World Health Organization concept of health can take various epochs and facets (Green & Tones, 2010). Diseases caused by pathogens such as viruses, fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms are considered illnesses. In addition, negative mental conditions such as stress, depression, insomnia, anorexia, maniac disorders and phobias among others are also categorized as illness. Social misconduct is also infirmity according to the World Health Organization with behavior such as bullying and deviancy, requiring various forms of intervention (Reidpath, 2005).

Different illnesses require different management and cure practices in this concept with treatment including, medical and psychological care. The wellness concept of health has also helped me attain a deeper meaning to health with the notion that positive thoughts and attitude can in fact lead to better health. This concept is relatively new to me but I have been able to understand alternate energy known as chakra that helps keep a person healthy as well as the required food types needed to heal a certain energy field. The environmental concept of health has been the most revealing bearing in mind that most individuals and communities disregard the impact of the environment to their health (Reidpath, 2005). For instance planting trees, regulation of fishing and hunting as well as cutting down bushes is considered healthy since trees absorb carbon dioxide, fish and animals balance the food chain and clearing bushes destroys the habitat of disease carrying pests and insects (Green & Tones, 2010).

Reidpath (2005) indicates that the components of a healthy environment include clean water, trees, fertile soil as well as the proper arrangement of social structures through housing, drainage, piping and conservation. An ill environment is that where the human inputs and waste outputs come into contact with each other which eventually lead to illness. For instance pollutants in the air, sewerage in the water, oil spills in the ocean as well as a sullied habitat all possess the ultimate potential to cause disease and infirmity.

Changes in the concepts of health

Concepts of health wellbeing and disease are dynamic phenomena meaning new concepts of health emerge on a regular basis while old concepts are either recreated or discarded all together. Consequently, new practices are formed on a regular basis to cater for the emerging definitions of disease. For instance practices such as cosmetology, yoga and meditation are yet to receive widespread acceptance into mainstream society though it is evident that the treatment of disease and illness is always changed by emerging concepts (Green & Tones, 2010).

In a broader sense, governments are now in a position to understand diseases better by identifying how they emerge and how they spread. Consequently, public health organizations such as Center for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) are created to prevent, monitor and control diseases among large populations (Reidpath, 2005). Still Reidpath (2005) indicates that with the development of new health concepts especially from mid 20^th century, most diseases are treatable or manageable. Previously, diseases such as smallpox or the plague had the potential to destroy continents but of today such diseases are treatable.

Zhang (2002) indicates that the emerging concepts have ensured that most communities especially in developed nations get to live long lives while communities in most parts of Africa and some parts of Asia still die from minor diseases. It is therefore evident that the most effective health concepts are yet to be applied globally. As such different societies have perceived health, wellbeing, disease and death differently. For instance parts of West Africa regard obesity as good health while in a healthy individual in Europe is one that can jog for at least three kilometers (Reidpath, 2005). Well being in most Asian community is to be able to have an intimate connection with all levels of existence and this is usually achieved through meditation.

Death is considered sacred in some communities while others perceive it as a rite of passage or a gateway into the spiritual realm (Reidpath, 2005). Recent developments in medicine have brought about great advances in stem cell research with scientists in America finding a way to replicate damaged tissue or organs (Green & Tones, 2010). As such, sick individuals with malfunctioning lungs for instance will only have to donate a few healthy cells from their lungs after which the cells are cultured and regenerated to full and healthy lungs. Research is still progressive though all indications are that this process will succeed thus eliminating the time spent waiting for a compatible donor and also reduces the risk of organ rejection.

Conclusion

Improved health facilities means that most people in developed nations can now live to their prime and though this is an advantage, since most people can now live till old age, in moat countries, age related illnesses such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease are now common. China for instance has 31% of its population suffering from osteoporosis while 43% of individuals above the age of 65 in the United States suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, health is currently a global obsession with governments and organizations investing billions of dollars every year to treat diseases and sustain health.

This has led to different interpretations of health, illness and disease and hence research for treatment has taken various dynamics. The most interesting concept is the wellness concept of health which believes in four levels of existence and as such disease can exist in any of the four levels. With the hypothesis that the body contains several energy bases, this concept has resulted in using magnets as a cure for aches and pains as well as a number of diseases. There is also reflexology which treats various illnesses by just pressing and massaging the feet. From various studies, it seems even the most unconventional health concepts have led to breakthroughs in understanding the human state of health and as such none of the concepts of health, current or potential should be disregarded.

References

Green, J. and Tones, K. (2010). Health Promotion: Planning and Strategies. Web.

Reidpath, D. (2005).Population health: concepts and methods. London: Oxford University Press.

Zhang, J. (2002). Representations of health concepts: a cognitive perspective. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 17-24.

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