Health is a condition of mental, physical and emotional well-being where infirmity and illness are absent. Some common definitions have been in use since the beginning of time for different purposes. The definition given below will be relative to our present understanding of what it means to be healthy. Health is synonymous with life, being clean and free of disease. It also involves strength and resistance to any form of harm.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services defines health as “the capacity to attain and maintain a level of healthfulness through processes that support a person’s physical, emotional, and social well-being”. It covers all those who are mentally healthy and physically healthy. It also covers the processes that promote health. It is important to note that the definition has changed slightly for the purpose of clarity since obesity was added to the list of health conditions.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, mental health and physical health are interrelated. They go hand in hand when it comes to preventing and treating disease in human beings. There has been consistent growth in the field of health sciences, especially in the last few decades. Several health conditions such as autism, diabetes, asthma, heart problems and hypertension can be controlled or improved through various technological advancements in the health science fields.
The National Institute of Mental Health defines mental health as “the ability to relate to, manage, and interact with others”. It is related to social well-being and the capacity to make informed decisions about one’s health, such as proper diet, nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation. The National Institute of Mental Health also notes that people who are suffering from mental disorders have low levels of energy and activity. They also have low concentration and have difficulty making decisions. A person afflicted with such a disorder may face high risk in the workplace and have low job opportunities.
According to research by the Association of Social Scientists, determinants of health and disease are those which facilitate the organization of the resources in response to an individual demand or to an individual environment. Determinants are behaviors, environments, and determinants which may be external (such as income or social background), internal (like attitudes and values) or unknown. A person who has low job opportunities and/or disability due to illness has a greater probability of facing disadvantageous circumstances when applying for jobs in the future.
Thus, the need for a variety of population health services is needed. These may include general medical care, occupational health, environmental health, and occupational environment health. General medical care includes health management, epidemiology, public health, preventive care, and clinical trials. Occupational health and occupational environment health encompass safety practices, ergonomics, surveillance, injury prevention, quality control, and training.