Health

Definition of Health:

Nurse Assisting Senior Woman — Amherst, MA — Nurses Culture of Health Alliance

In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO), defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity. According to the WHO itself. that definition was welcomed by some as being innovative, but also criticized as being vague, excessively broad and not construed as measurable by others.

 Not until 1984 was the definition set aside as an impractical ideal and most discussions of health returned to the practicality of the biomedical model.

Since then, the WHO brought a new conception of health, not as a state, but in dynamic terms of resiliency, in other words, as a “resource for living”. The revised definition of health is “The extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy needs and to change or cope with the environment.” (https://www.publichealth.com.ng/world-health-organizationwho-definition-of-health/).

Of consequence to NCHA goals and objectives is the knowledge that during the decades between 1984 and now, healthcare was and is synonymous with medical care in this country. That synergy has led to building a medical industrial complex while extending human life at all cost.

Definition of Wellness

The term wellness has been applied in many ways and is reponsive to the new WHO definition. The National Wellness Institute-- with the help of leaders in health and wellness--shared many interpretations and models of wellness. There is general agreement that:

  • Wellness is a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential.
  • Wellness is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment.
  • Wellness is positive and affirming.

The definition of wellness long used by the National Wellness Institute is consistent with these tenets:

Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence (WWW.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV).

Analysis of the concept of Health and the concept of Wellness can be viewed as more synonymous with the new WHO definition of health.

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