The World Health Organization has a constitution which recognizes health as a fundamental human right. According to the constitution, every human being has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical, mental, and social well-being. The concept of health is complex, reflecting interactions among genetics, environment, lifestyle, and social factors. Various types of interventions are used to improve the state of health, and they depend on the definition of health. Let us examine the elements that make up a healthy lifestyle.
The World Health Organization defines health as “complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing.” It emphasizes the importance of maintaining homeostasis and recovering from negative events. In addition, it also considers the psychological and emotional well-being of an individual, as well as the ability to form and maintain relationships and social networks. In short, health is the sum of physical and mental resources. People with complete health can live active and productive lives, make wiser decisions, and cope with stress and adverse situations.
In the 1980s, the WHO helped to lead the health promotion movement by advocating a new definition of health. In the new definition, health is defined as the capacity to meet needs and aspirations and to adapt to changing environments. For example, an individual can engage in sports, learn, or play without experiencing injury or depression. The person’s lifestyle and environment are also important aspects of their health. By incorporating all of these factors, health is not only a social responsibility, but it is also a human right.
