In today’s society, we have many definitions for health. It can mean a variety of things, from being free of disease to being able to cope with everyday demands. Health can also be defined as the state of being in balance, in which an individual is in an ideal state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Depending on how you define it, you can use one of the following ways to assess a population’s health:
In the world of the World Health Organization, health is defined as a resource that is essential for a healthy society. An optimal health condition provides the means to live a full, meaningful life. Another definition outlined in The Lancet refers to health as a person’s ability to respond to new threats and infirmities. This definition relies on the progress in modern science in our understanding of disease. The next step is to define health in a context that makes it meaningful.
The United Nations has many goals for improving human health, including a broad goal of universal health coverage. The UN has been active in health promotion and prevention since its establishment in 1948, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is leading the effort. The WHO came into force on 7 April 1948 and is responsible for promoting health throughout the world. Its goal is to reduce poverty, promote health, and improve the quality of life for people around the world.
