Interpreting the Health Statement
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “an enveloping network of quality indicators associated with the practice of health care that assesses health-related characteristics of individuals, families, communities, the environment, and diseases and health disorders.” A variety of different definitions have been employed over the years for several purposes. Some have been developed to address a variety of issues, while others are developed to focus on particular diseases and medical situations. The most common definition of health is the ability to enjoy a good self-image and a healthy view of one’s health status. It includes one’s ability to meet the needs and desires of others, as well as one’s capacity to cope with stress and its consequences.
In the United States, public health care are terms that are often used interchangeably, but have distinct meaning. Health services refer to services that focus on illness and wellness, while public health is broader in its focus. Public health aims to promote healthy behaviors that prevent illness and promote the overall health of the population; it also seeks to protect against the adverse effects of environmental risks and provide access to quality public health care.
One type of public health promotion is health education. In general, health education is the conduct of information concerning the physical environment, population health, and preventative health behaviors so that the population can learn to identify patterns of health behaviors and knowledge about the overall health of the population as a whole. Some health education programs focus on physical education, such as physical education in schools, while other emphasize the identification and treatment of common diseases.
Prevention is another form of prevention. Prevention studies the prior occurrence of diseases and the factors that increase the likelihood of their occurrence. It also attempts to lessen the burden and impact of the disease or condition, if possible. Prevention methods include measures to reduce exposure to environmental risk factors, for example, the use of sunscreen, limiting the number of sexual partners, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, and educating people about physical fitness and nutrition, among other things.
Another aspect of health promotion is coping. This involves an individual’s ability to handle stress, change, and changes in his or her environment. A person’s coping strategies may include effective management of symptoms and signs, maintaining resilience, promoting health, maintaining health care and maintenance of physical functioning. In terms of coping, it focuses on managing the individual’s response to health challenges and to changes in the environment. The goal of coping is to maintain health at the individual level.
Health promotion and health education are three important aspects of comprehensive health communication and management. It defines health communication as the process by which we gain understanding of what influences our health and how we can manage those influences to promote health and wellness. It also refers to a range of activities that contribute to good health and the maintenance of quality life.
