Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition “of full physical, mental and emotional well-being with no restrictions of health.” Various definitions have been employed over the years for various purposes. The dictionary definition is, “the condition of being healthy and free from dangerous diseases.” According to another source, the definition is, “health means the well-being of the individual.”
There are several other disease definitions, all of which are used to describe the fact that people are healthy if they can manage their diseases or the consequences of their diseases without enduring too many negative side effects. The definition, therefore, has to do more with the person’s capacity for managing his own health rather than with his ability to be subjected to disease. It would be a different story, however, if the person were able to sustain good health without enduring any negative consequences. That condition is what is known as good health.
Socioeconomic status is one of the factors that contribute to good health. Factors like your neighborhood, your educational level, your occupation, your income, your marital status, your religion, your sex, your history, and even your genes can affect your overall health. These variables can also affect the severity of your illness.
Socioeconomic status can have a major impact on the severity of any disease or illness and can explain a lot about illness rates all over the world. A study conducted in Cleveland, OH, for example, found that people who are overweight (obese), have low levels of education, are single, and have poor socioeconomic status are more likely to suffer from long-term illness, such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, depression, and diabetes. In contrast, a person who is physically fit, has a college education, has health insurance, and is married (heterosexual), has lower likelihoods of suffering from long-term illness. It also suggests that family history, which is present in both sexes if the person was born outside of marriage, has an important role in whether someone will develop some form of chronic illness.
The definition of “defined health” is a state where you are neither under nor over the weight for your height. It can also be defined as the capacity to engage in any activity involving physical exertion or activity that minimizes the potential for harm or damage to health. For most Americans, the definition of “defined health” is pretty standard: being overweight for one’s age and height and being in generally good health. For the most part, Americans would agree that the definition of health should be elastic and changeable according to needs. What is considered unhealthy and/or dangerous today could be considered normal tomorrow.
There is a distinct connection between physical and mental health. The absence of one impacts the other. Being overweight adds extra pressure to the body and can cause problems with cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems. Being ill or afflicted with a chronic illness can lead to a decrease in overall wellbeing. The definition of health is determined by the wellness of the individual, so it makes sense that there are many different ways to assess and define health.