The Ottawa charter defines health as a human resource, the object of life, and the means of living well. It highlights the connection between health and participation in society. The concept of health encompasses not only the physical, but also the mental, and social dimensions of life. The definition places the patient in the position of self-determining authority. Health is an important resource, and achieving it is the most important aspect of our lives. But how does one achieve health?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the leading international body promoting health. The WHO constitution states that “each human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health” without distinction of race, religion, political belief, or economic or social condition. The United Nations has been actively involved in promoting health around the world since 1948. The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the UN effort. The World Health Organization was established on 7 April 1948. This day is celebrated annually.
The MDPH’s work focuses on transforming the places of health on value systems. These societal factors are complex and interdependent, and interventions that address several of them are likely to be effective. They go beyond traditional public and health care sectors, encompassing cultural norms, economic conditions, and more. By focusing on the social determinants of health, MDPH seeks to improve the quality of life for everyone. Healthy people, and communities, require a collective effort of all stakeholders.
What defines good health? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), good health refers to the presence or absence of disease or risk factors. It is a combination of physical activity, diet, sleep, and environment. The promotion of health is possible through encouraging healthy activities, reducing unhealthy ones, and avoiding unhealthy environments. The definition of good health must be flexible enough to reflect this dynamic. In other words, if one is living at sea level, he or she may have shortness of breath and anemia in the mountains.
A healthy person has an overall state of health and can cope with stress and physical hardship. Mental illness affects body weight and overall function, and can lead to depression. The goal is to achieve a state of balanced mental and physical health. As long as there is a balance between the two, good health is possible. But it is difficult to define what makes a person healthy, so the definitions of health vary. Some define mental health as the ability to function well, while others consider it the absence of any form of mental disorder.
A health system is an organizational unit comprised of at least one hospital and a group of physicians. They are linked through common ownership. There are three types of health systems: organizations with common ownership, contractually integrated organizations, and multihospital systems. The definition of a health system is expected to change over time. A hospital and a physician organization may be members of more than one health system. However, they are not necessarily related to each other. Several hospital-based physician organizations can be members of several health systems.