Question

what qualities are essential to your own personal definition of health.
how do you define illness

Answer 1

Definition of health:

Health is defined by the World Health Organization as the state of physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmary.

Based on this definition, we can define health as the state of general overall well being of an individual where they can actively participate in society and can handle their own personal daily needs and maintain a homeostasis or a balanced state in terms of their physical and social environment.

Qualities essential for health in this definition:

• Ability to maintain homeostasis with one's external physical environment: The first condition to being healthy is the absence of diseases. If an individual is able to maintain a balance with their external environment and do not fall sick often, we can consider that person to be healthy. To do this, they must have access to adequate nutrition, reside in a hygienic environment, must not face sudden climatic changes or extreme weather, live in a pollution free region, and in case of persons with chronic health conditions such as asthma, access to essential medications and support system at all times. All of these factors are essential to maintain a physically balanced healthy life.
• Ability to maintain a consistent position in one's community and social environment: Social and economic consistency in one's life is key to maintaining a stable social and mental health. A well balanced family life, a stable income, a presence of regular support from one's community, as well as, political and economic stability in one's country and region is essential to maintain a healthy environment. All these factors are crucial to maintain a social and mental well being.
• Ability to fulfill one's personal needs as well as their family's needs: Ability of an individual to fully participate in day to day activities in their own family and the society in general is key to mental well being. To do this, presence of a stable living in a stable economy, regular access to all essential consumer products and services access to proper education and health care system etc. Thus, proper administration, lack of internal conflict, political stability are all crucial to a person's health.
• Ability to fully participate in all aspects of a social life: Being able to participate in society as a fully functioning member is crucial to one's mental well being. This means increased accessibility for all. Individuals suffering from chronic disorders or impairments should be able to participate in day to day life and be able to make a living to fulfill their personal needs as well as able bodied people. This means developed public infrastructure that everyone can access and use, well maintained social support systems for the children and the elderly, easily accessible social and health welfare system etc. This also means lack of addiction in society in general. Individuals suffering from addiction should have publicly funded system for treatment and their subsequent integration in the society.

Definition of illness:

Illness can be defined as the general state of feeling unwell, physically or mentally. While disease is the affliction caused by a pathogen or an intrinsic factor in our body which may have acute or chronic, local or systemic effects, illness is the reaction of one's body and mind to that disease.