The idea of health refers to physical, mental and social well-being and goes beyond the absence of illnesses or diseases.
Health is the condition of every living being that enjoys absolute well-being both physically and mentally and socially, according to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO) . That is, the concept of health not only accounts for the non-appearance of diseases or conditions , but goes beyond that. In other words, the idea of health can be explained as the degree of efficiency of the metabolism and functions of a living being at a micro ( cellular ) and macro ( social ) scale.
Before continuing with the definition of the term health, it is necessary to see where its etymological origin is found. More precisely, it should be noted that it is found in Latin and specifically in the word salus .
The importance of lifestyle
Lifestyle , or the type of habits and customs that a person has, can be beneficial to health, but it can also harm it or have a negative influence on it. An individual who maintains a balanced diet, takes care of his nutrition and performs physical activities on a daily basis has a greater chance of enjoying good health. On the contrary, a person who eats and drinks excessively, does not get enough rest , smokes and neglects his hygiene , runs serious risks of suffering from preventable diseases.
An example of all this that we have pointed out in the previous paragraph could be the following: "Despite his 90 years, Manuel enjoyed iron health and throughout his life he has always maintained good eating habits and has practiced a lot of sport."
Taking care of physical health and mental health
Broadly speaking, health can be recognized and analyzed from two perspectives: physical health and mental health , although in reality they are two interrelated aspects that affect quality of life . To maintain optimal physical health , it is recommended to exercise regularly and have a balanced and healthy diet, with a variety of nutrients and proteins.
Thus, it is important to emphasize that in order to enjoy good physical health, it is necessary for the person in question to have a series of healthy habits, both in terms of food and sports, as we have already indicated. Thus, with regard to the first aspect, it must be emphasized that the diets that are followed must be nutritious and balanced, avoiding as far as possible everything that refers to the intake of alcohol and other drugs, and also giving up tobacco .
As for sports , there are many disciplines that help people stay in good shape. For example, swimming , cycling or jogging are some of the most popular activities. However, it is true that in recent years, the sports disciplines that have experienced the greatest growth are those that not only allow people to maintain good physical shape, but also psychological balance. This would be the case, for example, with yoga or pilates.
Mental health , for its part, aims to bring together all the emotional and psychological factors that can condition every human being and force him or her to use his or her cognitive abilities and sensitivity to function within a community and resolve any demands that may arise in the context of daily life.
Performing physical activity on a daily basis contributes to health.
Psychological factors that affect the body
It is important to be clear that the distinction between physical health and mental health is often more theoretical than real or practical. The boundaries between the two are blurred because emotional disorders can affect the body, and at the same time an organic problem can affect the psyche.
Anxiety , depression and stress can lead to eating disorders or addictions , for example, with the physical consequences that this entails. It is also possible to indicate that obesity and hypertension can be related in part to psychological issues, increasing the risk of a stroke or heart attack .
Sciences that contribute to well-being
It should be noted that health sciences are those that allow us to obtain the necessary knowledge to help prevent diseases and develop initiatives that promote the health and well-being of both a particular person and the community in general.
Biochemistry , food science , pharmacology , medicine and psychology , among others, are health sciences that contribute to the study of symptoms, the development of diagnoses and the implementation of treatments and therapies that aim at the cure , recovery or rehabilitation of individuals, to mention a few possibilities.
Vaccination must be guaranteed by the State to protect public health.
Reproductive health
Reproductive health or sexual health is an important component of human well-being. The concept refers to what allows people to safely develop a satisfactory sexuality , allowing them to decide whether or not they want to have children.
Reproductive health encompasses contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies; prevention of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases); and infertility treatments. A related concept is maternal health , which includes care during pregnancy , ensuring that childbirth is carried out safely for both mother and baby, and providing assistance during the breastfeeding period.
The role of the State
In all dimensions and facets of health, the State has a fundamental role. In fact, health is a human right , and state authorities, through health policies , must ensure that all people have access to the health system .
Hospitals , in this sense, must have the necessary resources to provide adequate care. In addition to doctors , nurses , surgeons , psychologists and other specialists, they must have the infrastructure and equipment that meets the needs of the population.
However, the importance of working on preventive medicine and health education is often highlighted as a way of minimising the need to go to clinics or doctor's offices. Health promotion , encouraging healthy habits and awareness, is key.
The State, of course, must also be responsible for providing vaccines to prevent infectious diseases and carrying out campaigns to reduce the risk of contagion (as in the cases of COVID-19 and HIV / AIDS ), among other measures.
It must be stressed that health cannot be subordinated to the economic situation of people. Private medicine , in the hands of companies seeking profit by offering their products and services, should always be a complement to public health and not a replacement.