Health

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(Redirected from Healths)

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Health is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various aspects of an individual's life, including physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, and social relationships. This article will discuss the various dimensions of health, factors that influence health, and the role of public health initiatives in promoting health and well-being.

Dimensions of Health[edit | edit source]

Health can be broadly categorized into the following dimensions:

  • Physical health: Refers to the optimal functioning of the body, including the absence of disease, adequate nutrition, regular exercise, and proper sleep.
  • Mental health: Encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, including the ability to manage stress, cope with challenges, and maintain healthy relationships.
  • Social health: Involves the ability to interact effectively with others, maintain satisfying relationships, and adapt to various social situations.
  • Emotional health: Relates to the ability to express and manage emotions, cope with stress, and maintain a positive outlook on life.
  • Spiritual health: Refers to a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection with a higher power, values, or a sense of inner peace.

Factors Influencing Health[edit | edit source]

Several factors can impact an individual's health, broadly categorized as:

  • Genetics: Genetic factors, such as family history and inherited traits, can influence susceptibility to certain diseases and conditions.
  • Environment: The physical and social environment, including access to clean water, air quality, housing, and social support, can have significant effects on health.
  • Lifestyle: Personal habits and behaviors, such as diet, exercise, sleep, and substance use, can contribute to overall health and well-being.
  • Healthcare access: Access to quality healthcare, including preventive services, medical treatment, and mental health services, is crucial for maintaining health.
  • Socioeconomic status: Income, education, and occupation can impact health through various pathways, such as access to resources, exposure to stressors, and social determinants of health.

Public Health and Health Promotion[edit | edit source]

Public health is the science and practice of promoting and protecting health at the population level. Public health initiatives aim to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, and individuals. Some key components of public health include:

  • Health promotion: Activities aimed at raising awareness, changing behaviors, and creating environments that support good health for all. Examples include anti-smoking campaigns, promotion of physical activity, and healthy eating initiatives.
  • Disease prevention: Actions to prevent the onset of disease, such as vaccination programs, screening for early detection of diseases, and workplace safety regulations.
  • Healthcare policy and access: Public health also involves shaping healthcare policy, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services, and monitoring the quality and safety of healthcare delivery.

Health Education and Health Literacy[edit | edit source]

Health education is the process of providing individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their health. Health education is an essential component of public health initiatives and plays a crucial role in preventing disease, promoting healthy lifestyles, and improving overall well-being.

Health literacy refers to an individual's ability to understand and use health information to make informed decisions about their health and healthcare. Limited health literacy can negatively impact health outcomes, increase healthcare costs, and exacerbate health disparities. Efforts to improve health literacy include simplifying health information, using plain language, and providing educational resources tailored to different populations.

Role of Healthcare Professionals in Health Promotion[edit | edit source]

Healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and other allied health professionals, play a critical role in promoting health and well-being. Their responsibilities include:

  • Providing preventive care, such as vaccinations and screenings, to help individuals maintain good health and avoid disease.
  • Educating patients about healthy lifestyle choices, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
  • Collaborating with public health organizations and community partners to address social determinants of health and improve access to healthcare services.
  • Advocating for policies and initiatives that promote health and reduce health disparities at the local, national, and global level.

The Importance of Self-Care in Health[edit | edit source]

Self-care is the practice of taking care of one's own physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Engaging in self-care activities can help individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle, cope with stress, and prevent disease. Examples of self-care include:

  • Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
  • Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or yoga.
  • Prioritizing sleep and establishing a consistent sleep schedule.
  • Practicing stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling.
  • Building and maintaining strong social connections with friends, family, and community members.
  • By incorporating self-care practices into daily life, individuals can take charge of their own health and well-being, contributing to a healthier and more resilient society.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Categories[edit | edit source]

Health is the state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being.

Healthy
Healthy

Short list of health articles - A[edit source]

AbortionAccidentActivities of daily livingAcupuncture

Advance health care directiveAerobic exercise

AgelessAging and memoryAgingAlcoholismAllergyAlternative medicineAmputationAnaerobic exerciseAnaesthesiaAnatomical pathologyAnatomyAndrologyAnimal-assisted therapyAntibiotic resistanceAppetiteAssisted reproductive technologyAthletic trainingAudiologyAutoimmune diseaseAuxology

B[edit source]

BacteriumBaldnessBasic life supportBinge eating

Biological standard of livingBiomedical researchBiomedical technologyBipolar disorderBirth attendantBirth controlBlood diseasesBlood testBody compositionBody Mass Index (BMI)Brain death

C[edit source]

Cancer

Chemotherapy

ChiropracticCognitive therapyCommunity-based rehabilitationCommunity healthComplementary and alternative medicineComplementary medicineConvalescence - COVID-19 portalCryosurgery

D[edit source]

DeathDeficiency disease

DentistryDermatologyDeterminants of healthDetoxificationDevelopmental disabilityDiabetesDiagnosisDiet (nutrition)Diet and obesityDietary supplementDieteticsDietingDigestionDigestive systemDigestive tractDisabilityDisease registryDiseaseDoctor-patient relationshipDysarthriaDyslexia

E[edit source]

Environmental healthEnzymeEpidemicEvidence-based medicineEvidence-based practice

EugenicsExercise equipmentExercise physiologyExercise

F[edit source]

Fad dietFaith healingFamily centered careFamily planningFamineFast foodFertilityFetal alcohol syndromeFolk medicineFood additiveFood allergyFoodFood groupsFood pyramid (nutrition)Food technologyFoodForensic pathology

G[edit source]

Gene therapyGeneral fitness trainingGeneral surgeryGenetic counselingGenetic engineeringGenetically modified organismGeneticsGenome projectGenomeGenomicsGeriatricsGerontologyGynaecology

Mental health
Mental health

H[edit source]

HaematologyHealingHealth care deliveryHealth care systemHealth careHealth economicsHealth educationHealth professionHealth promotionHealth scienceHealthHealthcareHealthy dietHealthy eatingHistory of medicineHolistic healthHome birthHome remedyHomeopathyHomeostasisHormoneHospiceHospitalHuman anatomyHygiene

I[edit source]

IllnessImmortalityImmunity (medical)ImmunologyInfectious diseasesInfertilityInflammationInjuryInternal medicine

J[edit source]

Joints

K[edit source]

Kinesiology

L[edit source]

LifeLife expectancyLife extensionLongevity

M[edit source]

MacronutrientMale infertilityMalnutritionMedical cannabisMedical case managementMedical devicesMedical historyMedical imagingMedical schoolMedical sociologyMedical technology

MedicationMedicineMegadoseMegavitamin therapy

Mental disorderMental healthMental retardation - MERSMetabolismMeteoropathyMicrobiologyMicronutrientMidwiferyMiscarriageMortality rateMultivitaminMutation

GI doctor
GI doctor

N[edit source]

NanomedicineNanotechnologyNaturopathic medicineNeurologyNeuroscienceNeurosurgeryNuclear medicineNurseNursing schoolNursingNutrientNutritionNutritional supplementNutritionist

O[edit source]

ObesityObstetrics and GynecologyObstetricsOccupational hygieneOccupational medicineOccupational safety and healthOccupational therapyOld ageOncologyOnline pharmacyOphthalmologyOptometryOral hygieneOrgan transplantOrganismOrthopaedicsOsteopathyOver-the-counter drugOverweight

P[edit source]

Palliative careParamedicPathogenPathologyPediatrics

Pharmaceutical care

PharmacologyPharmacyPhysical educationPhysical examinationPhysical exercisePhysical fitnessPhysical therapyPhysicianPlastic surgeryPopulation healthPregnancy

Prenatal carePrescription drugsPreventive medicinePrimary carePrimary health carePsychiatryPsychoanalysisPsychotherapyPublic health

Q[edit source]

Quality of Life (Healthcare)

R[edit source]

RadiologyRare diseaseReproductive medicineRheumatology


S[edit source]

STD testingSafe sexSanitationSaturated fatSelf-healingSelf-medicationSenilitySex educationSexual dysfunctionSexual health

Sleep deprivationSleep hygieneSleepSocial medicineSpecial needsSports medicineSurgerySurvivabilitySymptom

T[edit source]

ToxicityToxicologyToxinTrans fatTrauma surgery

U[edit source]

Universal design

V[edit source]

VaccineVegetarianismVirusVitaminVulvovaginal health

W[edit source]

Weight lossWellness (alternative medicine)WellnessWomen's healthWorld Health Organization

X[edit source]

X-ray

Health Topics > A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
View All Health Topics in one page! | Health Encyclopedia | Index of health articles

Professions:Medicine | Nursing | Pharmacy | Healthcare science | Dentistry | Allied health professions | Healthcare

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Medicine Internal medicine - Allergy / Immunology - Angiology - Cardiology - Endocrinology - Gastroenterology - Hepatology - Geriatrics - Hematology - Hospital medicine - Infectious disease - Nephrology - Oncology - Pulmonology - Rheumatology
Obstetrics and gynaecology Gynaecology - Gynecologic oncology - Maternal–fetal medicine - Obstetrics - Reproductive endocrinology and infertility - Urogynecology
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Other specialties Addiction medicine - Adolescent medicine - Anesthesiology - Dermatology - Disaster medicine - Diving medicine - Emergency medicine - Family medicine - General practice - Hospital medicine - Intensive care medicine - Medical genetics - Narcology - Neurology - Clinical neurophysiology - Occupational medicine - Ophthalmology - Oral medicine - Pain management - Palliative care - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) - Preventive medicine - Psychiatry -Addiction psychiatry - Radiation oncology - Reproductive medicine - Sexual medicine - Sleep medicine - Sports medicine - Transplantation medicine - Tropical medicine - Travel medicine - Venereology
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD