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{{About|the human condition}}

{{Multiple issues
|organize=July 2010}}
[[File:Caduceus.svg|thumb|upright|The [[Caduceus as a symbol of medicine|Caduceus]].]]
'''Health''' is the level of functional and/or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In [[human]]s, it is the general condition of a [[person]] in mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to being free from [[illness]], [[injury]] or [[pain]] (as in “''good health''” or “''healthy''”).<ref>Merriam-Webster. [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/health ''Dictionnary - "Health"''], accessed 21 April 2011.</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in 1946 as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."<ref name="WHO definition">World Health Organization. 1946. [http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html ''WHO definition of Health''], Preamble to the Constitution of the World Hedopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.</ref><ref name="WHO constitution">World Health Organization. 2006. [http://www.who.int/governance/eb/who_constitution_en.pdf ''Constitution of the World Health Organization''] - ''Basic Documents'', Forty-fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006.</ref> Although this definition has been subject to controversy, in particular as having a lack of operational value and the problem created by use of the word "complete", it remains the most enduring.<ref>Callahan D. The WHO definition of 'health'. ''The Hastings Center Studies'', 1(3), 1973 - http://www.jstor.org/pss/3527467</ref> Classification systems such as the WHO Family of International Classifications, which is composed of the [[International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health]] (ICF) and the [[International Classification of Diseases]] (ICD), are commonly used to define and measure the components of health.

The maintenance and promotion of health is achieved through a combination of physical, mental, and social well-being, together sometimes referred to as the ''“health triangle”''.<ref>Georgia State University. 1998. [http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwche/ ''Health Triangle Slides''].</ref><ref>Nutter S. 2003. ''The Health Triangle''. Anchor Points, Inc.</ref> The WHO's 1986 ''[[Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion]]'' furthered that health is not just a state, but also "a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities."<ref>World Health Organization. 1986. [http://www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/ottawa_charter_hp.pdf ''Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion''], adopted at the First International Conference on Health Promotion, Ottawa, 21 November 1986 - WHO/HPR/HEP/95.1.</ref>

Systematic activities to prevent or cure health problems and promote good health in humans are delivered by [[health care provider]]s. Applications with regard to animal health are covered by the [[Veterinary medicine|veterinary sciences]]. The term "healthy" is also widely used in the context of many types of non-living organizations and their impacts for the benefit of humans, such as in the sense of [[healthy community design|healthy communities]], [[healthy city|healthy cities]] or [[healthy environment]]s. In addition to health care interventions and a person's surroundings, a number of other factors are known to influence the health status of individuals, including their background, lifestyle, and economic and social conditions; these are referred to as "determinants of health".
== Determinants of health ==
{{See also|Social determinants of health}}
The [[LaLonde report]] suggests that there are four general determinants of health including [[human biology]], ''[[environment (biophysical)|environment]]'', ''[[lifestyle (sociology)|lifestyle]]'', and ''[[healthcare|healthcare services]].''<ref name="Lalonde">Lalonde, Marc. [http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/alt_formats/hpb-dgps/pdf/pubs/1974-lalonde/lalonde_e.pdf "A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians."] Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services; 1974.</ref> Thus, health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and application of [[health science]], but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the individual and society.

The [[Alameda County Study]] examines the relationship between lifestyle and health. It has found that people can improve their health via [[exercise]], enough [[sleep]], maintaining a healthy [[body weight|weight]], limiting [[alcohol]] use, and avoiding [[smoking (disambiguation)|smoking]].<ref>{{cite journal
| unused_data = DUPLICATE DATA: last = Dorman|DUPLICATE DATA: first = Steve
| last = Housman
| first = Jeff
| title = The Alameda County Study: A Systematic, Chronological Review
| journal = American Journal of Health Education
| year = 2005
| month = September/October
| volume = 36
| issue = 5
| pages = 302–308
| url = http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ792845
| accessdate = 7 June 2010
| publisher = American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
| location = Reston, VA
| format = PDF
| issn = 1055-6699
| id = ERIC document number EJ792845
| quote = The linear model supported previous findings, including regular exercise, limited alcohol consumption, abstinence from smoking, sleeping 7-8 hours a night, and maintenance of a healthy weight play an important role in promoting longevity and delaying illness and death.
| postscript =
}} Citing {{cite journal
| author = Wingard DL, Berkman LF, Brand RJ
| title = A multivariate analysis of health-related practices: a nine-year mortality follow-up of the Alameda County Study
| journal = Am J Epidemiol
| year = 1982
| volume = 116
| issue = 5
| pages = 765–775
| pmid = 7148802
}}</ref>

<!-- Environment includes [[Natural environment]], [[Built environment]] and [[Social environment]]. -->
A major environmental factor affecting health is water quality, especially for the health of infants and children in [[developing country|developing countries]].<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/facts_figures/basic_needs.shtml The UN World Water Development Report | Facts and Figures | Meeting basic needs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Studies shows that [[developed country|developed countries]], the lack of neighborhood recreational space that includes the natural environment leads to lower levels of neighborhood satisfaction and higher levels of obesity; therefore, lower overall well being.<ref name=FannyPrice>[http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/4/e2 "Recreational Values of the Natural Environment in Relation to Neighborhood Satisfaction, Physical Activity, Obesity and Wellbeing."]</ref> Therefore, the positive psychological benefits of natural space in urban neighborhoods should be taken into account in public policy and land use.

According to the [[World Health Organization]], the main determinants of health include the social and economic environment, the physical environment and the person's individual characteristics and behaviors.<ref name="The determinants of health">{{cite web|url=http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/| title=The determinants of health|date=|accessdate= 2010-06-24}}</ref> Generally, the context in which an individual lives is of great importance on his life quality and health status. The social and economic environment are key factors in determining the health status of individuals given the fact that higher education levels are linked with a higher standard of life as well as a higher [[income]]. Generally, people who finish higher education are more likely to get a better job and therefore are less prone to stress by comparing to individuals with low education levels.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}

The physical environment is perhaps the most important factor that should be considered when classifying the health status of an individual. This includes factors such as clean [[water]] and [[air]], safe [[house]]s, communities and [[roads]] all contribute to good health.<ref name="The determinants of health"/>

[[Genetics]] are also part of the system based on which the health of the population can be established. Genetics are closely related to the habits and behaviors individuals develop during their life, particularly in terms of lifestyle choices. For instance, people who come from [[families]] whose members had a more active lifestyle and followed healthier diets, non-smoking and non-drinking are more likely to follow the same pattern in their life. The example set by the family as well as the relationship with friends and family can have a great impact on one's general health. Nonetheless, genetics may play a role in the manner in which people cope with [[Stress (biology)|stress]].

Moreover, the World Health Organization lists a wide range of other factors that can influence the well being of a person. According to WHO, the [[gender]], social support networks and health services in terms of both quality and access to them are to be considered as health determinants. Access to health care is one of the large issues of the nowadays society, maybe even greater than the quality of the service. Individuals in [[developing countries]] are more prone to suffer from different health conditions because their access to the health care system is restricted mostly from financial reasons.

Although many individuals are often criticized for not taking good care of their health based on the presumption that the [[mirror]]'s of one's personality is one's health., it is now accepted that there are many factors that have a significant impact on one's health and which cannot be controlled.

== Maintaining health ==
{{Main|Self care}}
Achieving and maintaining health is an ongoing process. Effective strategies for staying healthy and improving one's health include the following elements:

=== Observations of Daily Living ===
Personal health depends partially on one's active, passive, and assisted observations about their health in their everyday life. The information gleaned from such observations may be used to inform personal decisions and actions (''e.g.'', "I feel tired in the morning so I am going to try sleeping on a different pillow"), as well as clinical decisions and treatment plans (''e.g.'', a patient who notices his or her shoes are tighter than usual may be having exacerbation of left-sided heart failure, and may require diuretic medication to reduce fluid overload) for patients who share their observations with their health care providers.<ref name="e-primer3">[http://www.projecthealthdesign.org/media/file/E-primer_3.pdf Health in Everyday Living] Robert Wood Johnson Foundation primer</ref>


{{Main|Social relation}}
Personal health depends partially on the social structure of one person`s life. The maintenance of strong social relationships is linked to good health conditions, longevity, productivity, and a positive attitude. This is because positive social interaction as viewed by the participant increases many chemical levels in the brain which are linked to personality and intelligence traits.

Volunteering also can lead to a healthy life. To be a volunteer, while gaining plenty of social benefits, people also take their mind off their own troubles.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Volunteering could even add years of life. According to a university study,{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} compared with people who did not volunteer, senior citizens who volunteered showed a 67% reduced risk of dying during a seven-year period.

=== Hygiene ===
{{Main|Hygiene}}
<!--[[File:Nanogreens-2.gif|thumb|Example of [[nanogreens]] from health and hygiene.]] -->

Hygiene is the practice of keeping the body clean to prevent infection and illness, and the avoidance of contact with infectious agents. Hygiene practices include [[bathing]], [[oral hygiene|brushing and flossing teeth]], [[washing hands]] especially before eating, washing food before it is eaten, cleaning food preparation utensils and surfaces before and after preparing meals, and many others. This may help prevent infection and illness. By cleaning the body, dead skin cells are washed away with the germs, reducing their chance of entering the body.

=== Stress management ===
{{Main|Stress management}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2009}}

Prolonged psychological stress may negatively impact health, and has been cited as a factor in cognitive impairment with aging, depressive illness, and expression of disease.<ref>{{cite journal |author=McEwen BS |title=Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators: central role of the brain |journal=Dialogues Clin Neurosci |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=367–81 |year=2006 |pmid=17290796 |doi= |url=}}</ref> Stress management is the application of methods to either reduce stress or increase tolerance to stress. [[Relaxation technique]]s are physical methods used to relieve stress. Psychological methods include [[cognitive therapy]], [[meditation]], and [[positive thinking]] which work by reducing response to stress. Improving relevant skills and abilities builds confidence, which also reduces the stress reaction to situations where those skills are applicable.

Reducing uncertainty, by increasing knowledge and experience related to stress-causing situations, has the same effect. Learning to cope with problems better, such as improving problem solving and time management skills, may also reduce stressful reaction to problems. Repeatedly facing an object of one's fears may also desensitize the fight-or-flight response with respect to that stimulus—e.g., facing bullies may reduce fear of bullies.

=== Health care ===
{{Main|Health care}}

Health care<ref name="Health Care UK">{{cite web | title = Health Care UK | url = http://www.nhs.uk/ | publisher = [[National Health Service (NHS)]] | date = March 11, 2010 | accessdate = March 11, 2010 }}</ref> is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well being through the services offered by the [[Medicine|medical]], [[nursing]], and [[allied health]] professions.

==== Workplace wellness programs ====
{{Main|Workplace wellness}}

Workplace wellness programs are recognized by an increasingly large number of companies for their value in improving the health and well-being of their employees, and for increasing morale, loyalty, and productivity.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} Workplace wellness programs can include things like on-site fitness centers, health presentations, wellness newsletters, access to health coaching, tobacco cessation programs and training related to [[nutrition]], [[Weight loss|weight]] and stress management. Other programs may include [[health risk assessment]]s, health screenings and [[body mass index]] monitoring.

Wellness programs may also be found in such places neighborhood community centers and schools. These typically require participants to have a greater degree of commitment to themselves, as they are voluntary.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

== Public health ==
{{Main|Public health}}
[[File:NewZealand-Stamp-1933-Health.jpg|thumb|160px|right|Postage stamp, [[New Zealand]], 1933. Public health has been promoted - and depicted - in a wide variety of ways.]]
Public health has been described as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals."<ref>C.-E. A. Winslow, “The Untilled Fields of Public Health,” ''Science'', n.s. 51 (1920).</ref> It is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on [[population health]] analysis. The population in question can be as small as a handful of people or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents (for instance, in the case of a [[pandemic]]). Public health has many sub-fields, but is typically divided into the categories of [[epidemiology]], [[biostatistics]] and health [[Service (economics)|services]]. [[Environmental Health|Environmental health]], [[community health]], [[behavioral health]], and [[occupational health]], are also important fields in public health.

The focus of a public health intervention is to prevent and manage diseases, injuries and other health conditions through surveillance of cases and the [[health promotion|promotion of healthy behaviors]], [[healthy community design|communities]] and [[environmental protection|environments]].
In many cases, treating a disease or controlling a [[pathogen]] can be vital to preventing it in others, such as during an outbreak of an [[infectious disease]]. [[Vaccination schedule]]s and distribution of [[condom]]s are examples of preventive public health measures.

Unlike clinical professionals, public health is more focused on entire communities and populations rather than on individuals. Its aim is preventing from happening or re-occurring health problems by implementing educational programs, developing policies, administering services, and conducting [[research]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatispublichealth.org/about/index.html| title=What is Public Health?|date=|accessdate= 2010-06-24}}</ref>

Public health also takes several actions to limit the health disparities between different areas of the [[country]], [[continent]] or [[world]]. The great issue this system is trying to solve is the access of individuals to health care which has always been restricted for those who did not dispose of the necessary financial means. Other academic disciplines that are comprised by this field include [[maternal health|maternal]] and child health, health services administration, [[global health]], [[public health]] practice, [[health policy]] and [[nutrition]].

The great positive impact of public health programs is widely admitted. Because of the health policies and the actions public health professionals develop, the 20th century has registered a decrease of the mortality rates in [[infants]] and [[child]]ren and a constant increase in [[life expectancy]]. For example, it is estimated that the life expectancy has increased for Americans by thirty years since 1900<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatispublichealth.org/impact/index.html| title=Impact of Public Health|date=|accessdate= 2010-06-24}}</ref>, and worldwide by six years since 1990.<ref>World Health Organization. [http://www.who.int/gho/mortality_burden_disease/life_tables/situation_trends_text/en/index.html ''Life expectancy at birth''], accessed 20 April 2011.</ref>

== Role of science in health ==
{{Main|Health science}}

Health science is the branch of science focused on health, and it includes many subdisciplines. There are two approaches to health science: the study and [[research]] of the human body and health-related issues to understand how humans (and animals) function, and the application of that knowledge to improve health and to prevent and cure [[disease]]s.

=== Sources ===

Health research builds primarily on the basic sciences of [[biology]], [[chemistry]], and [[physics]] as well as a variety of multidisciplinary fields (for example [[medical sociology]]). Some of the other primarily research-oriented fields that make exceptionally significant contributions to health science are [[biochemistry]], [[epidemiology]], and [[genetics]].

=== Application ===

Applied health sciences also endeavor to better understand health, but in addition they try to directly improve it. Some of these are: [[health education]], [[biomedical engineering]], [[biotechnology]], [[nursing]], [[nutrition]], [[pharmacology]], [[pharmacy]], [[public health]] ([[#Public health|see above]]), [[social work]], [[psychology]], [[physical therapy]], and [[medicine]]. The provision of services to maintain or improve people's health is referred to as health care ([[#Health care|see above]]).
Irene

==See also==
{{Portal|Health and fitness}}
{{Wikipedia-Books}}
* [[Behavioural change theories]]
* [[Health care]]
* [[Health policy]]
* [[Health systems]]
* [[Healthy narcissism]]
* [[Leveraging Agriculture for Improving Nutrition and Health]]
* [[Nutrition]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

[http://healthandfitness.moonfruit.com healthandfitness.moonfruit.com]==References==
*[http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/337/dec10_1/a2900 BMJ.com], Jadad, AR and O'Grady L. How should health be defined? BMJ 2008; 337:a2900
*[[WHO]] (1979) Health for all.
*WHO (1980) WHO Chr., 34(2)80
*WHO (1986) Concepts of Health Behavior Research, Reg. Health Paper No.13, SEARO, New Delhi
*WHO (1978) Health for all.
*UNDP, Human Development Report 1999, [[Oxford University Press]]
*[[UNICEF]] (2001) State of world's children, 2001
*WHO (1979) Health for all.
*Evang, K. (1967); In health of mankind; Ciba foundation; 100th symposium, Churchill, London
*Last, J.M (1983) A Dictionary of Epidemiology, Oxford University Press
*Raska, K (1966), WHO Chr., 20, 315

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}} {{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.who.int World Health Organization]
* [http://www.nhs.uk National Health Service]
* [http://www.hon.ch Health On the Net Foundation]
* [http://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=HEALTH OECD Health Statistics]
* [http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/us/health.htm Health and Medical Information] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* [http://ec.europa.eu/health-eu/ Health-EU Portal] the official public health portal of the European Union
* [http://www.google.co.za/dictionary?langpair=en|en&q=health&hl=en&aq=f Google.co.za], Google dictionary

[[Category:Health| ]]
[[Category:Personal life]]

[[am:ትምህርተ፡ጤና]]
[[ar:صحة]]
[[an:Salut]]
[[bm:Kɛnɛya]]
[[bn:স্বাস্থ্য]]
[[be:Здароўе]]
[[be-x-old:Здароўе]]
[[bs:Zdravlje]]
[[br:Yec'hed]]
[[bg:Здраве]]
[[ca:Salut]]
[[cv:Сывлăх]]
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[[cs:Zdraví]]
[[co:Salute]]
[[cy:Iechyd]]
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[[es:Salud]]
[[eo:Sano]]
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[[fr:Santé]]
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[[hi:स्वास्थ्य]]
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[[ia:Sanitate]]
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[[it:Salute]]
[[he:בריאות]]
[[jv:Kaséhatan]]
[[kl:Peqqinneq]]
[[kn:ಆರೋಗ್ಯ]]
[[ka:ჯანმრთელობა]]
[[ht:Lasante]]
[[la:Salus]]
[[lv:Veselība]]
[[lt:Sveikata]]
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[[mk:Здравје]]
[[ml:ആരോഗ്യം]]
[[mr:आरोग्य]]
[[ms:Kesihatan]]
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[[ru:Здоровье]]
[[rue:Здоровя]]
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[[uk:Здоров'я]]
[[ur:صحت]]
[[vi:Sức khỏe]]
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[[yi:געזונט]]
[[zh-yue:健康]]
[[zea:Gezondeid]]
[[zh:健康]]

Revision as of 11:41, 5 May 2011

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