Dynamic Definition of Health and Disease - Essay Example

Health care Affiliation: Introduction Health is an important aspect in a human being and hence the reason why there is a lot of health promotion being conducted through various health models. This essay will provide different definitions of health and health promotion according to different scholars as well as provide brief and detailed explanations of the different models of health promotion (health belief model, theory of planned behaviour, stage of change model and precede-proceed model) that are present and in use by the society as a way to promote health in general (Ayers, et al. 2007). Health & Health Promotion The Sage online dictionary defines health as ‘the general condition of body and mind’, as well as ‘A healthy state of well-being free from disease’ (The Sages Dictionary Online, 2012). This literal meaning assumes relative proportions when visualized through the glass of personal viewpoint on health, which might differ in individuals, or be heavily influenced by cultural and ethnic identity. A more comprehensive definition, as standardized and agreed upon by pertinent authorities in the World Health Organization (WHO), framed in the year 1946, states that ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (Awofeso, 2012). The WHO bulletin claims that health was considered a divine gift in antiquity, until Hippocrates rationalized its comprehension as a physical state attained by following the basic tenets of sanitation and a good lifestyle. A more recent definition which includes the element of psychological health, with particular emphasis on human health, is the one given by Bircher, which states that health is a dynamic state of well-being characterized by a physical and mental potential, which satisfies the demands of life commensurate with age, culture, and personal responsibility (Bircher, 2005). The WHO definition has persisted for 60 years but has come under criticism due to the emergence of new patterns of illness due to the high number of aged persons in the world, who ironically survive due to better healthcare facilities developed over the years (Huber, Knottnerus, Green, et al 2011). Health promotion literally translates into any activity undertaken to maintain good health, as comprehended as a layperson. Technically, however, definition of the phrase is again provided by WHO which, in its Ottawa charter adopted in Geneva in the year 1986, states that ‘Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health’ (WHO, Re-defining ‘Health’, 2012). Health promotion is, therefore, a comprehensive endeavour keeping in mind the social, cultural and economic contexts pertinent to a population (Health Promotion Glossary, 2012). Models of health promotion The Health Belief Model is a type of social cognitive model that leans heavily towards the issues of health. It has several key components to explain how it works which include but are not limited to: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived threats, benefits, barriers and cues of action among others. All these combine to ensure that health care of individuals with specific health problems like tuberculosis (TB) get the necessary treatment after screening (Tamm, 1993). Theory of planned behaviour makes the assumption that the behaviour of people is largely determined by their attitudes which finally leads to the health decisions they will make. It mainly deals with promotion of healthy eating through reaching to people to change their attitudes and finally behaviour of what they eat as a way to have better health care. For example the eating of fruits not because the person wants but because it will help the health of a person and it this continued change in attitude that finally yields results. The stage of change model by Prochaska and Di Climente (1984) also called the Trans theoretical theory promotes healthy eating and health care through a sequence of stages: pre-contemplation (raising awareness), contemplation (considering change), preparation (making decision to change), action (change itself) and finally maintenance (to avoid relapse). Other than in eating programs, the model is also useful for addicts like tobacco smokers because it is not only physical but also psychological hence promoting health care in the long term. Finally there is precede-proceed model, which seeks to promote health through three factors: predisposing factors (attitudes, beliefs, values), enabling factors (skills, ability, accessibility) and reinforcing factors (social support from peers, family). The predisposing factors aim at motivating the individuals towards promoting health care, enabling factors then facilitate the necessary steps and ways required for the health care and finally the reinforcing factors just as the name suggests reinforced the enabling factors. Health Determinants - Health care and health promotion is affected by and determined by many different determinants which include: social support system, education, gender, culture, income and even social status of an individual (Glanz, Rimer, and Viswanath, 2008). When a person is educated, they understand the benefits of proper health care including exercising and having treatment plans. People with higher income or social status have the means to afford better treatment, food and even medication. Social support promotes psychological health which is as important as physical health. Specific genders have their own tailored health care needs which need to be addressed specifically and it is up to them to seek those specific services. Cultural practices act to promote or refute health care needs but having a culture that is aimed at promoting health ensures that the society is healthy. Health Promotion Campaign A very interesting health promotion campaign intended to be launched in the United Kingdom in the year 2013 is the attempt at curbing the habit of smoking in the public. Proponents of this campaign intend to distribute ‘Quit Kits’ to smokers, which will probably be nicotine trans-dermal patches or chewing gums, intended to curb active smoking of tobacco filled cigarettes. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of respiratory and heart disease; the habit has been sustained in the European society throughout the twentieth century. Irrevocable evidence linking smoking to shortened life spans has spurred anti-tobacco campaigns worldwide, and this effort is likely to show positive results in the ensuing years. The innovators of this campaign intend to invite and equip all pharmacies within the UK with a kit which the latter need to hand over to smokers in that area. A telephone help line has been provided for the pharmacies to order kits, 20 at a time and the campaign is likely to succeed, notwithstanding the diehard attitude of some smokers (Department of Health, 2012). Conclusion The essay has provided important information about health care that is not usually available from health workers but it is nevertheless necessary in enabling people understand properly the issues of health (De Campos, 2012). Following of the above mentioned health determinants will also facilitate proper health care (both physical and emotional). References Awofeso, N. (2012). Re-defining ‘Health’, [Online] Available at: http://www.who.int/bulletin/bulletin_board/83/ustun11051/en/ [Accessed 18 December 2012] Ayers, S. et al. (2007). Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Bircher, J. (2005). Towards a dynamic definition of health and disease. Med. Health Care Philos., 8, pp. 335-41. De Campos, T. (2012). Health as a Basic Human Need: Would This Be Enough? Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 40, 2, pp. 251-267, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 18 December 2012. Department of Health. (2012). Distributing quit kits in 2013. [Online] Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/11/smokefree-january/ [Accessed 19 December 2012]. Glanz, K., Rimer, B. and Viswanath, K. (2008). Health Behaviour and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Health Promotion Glossary. (2012). [Online] Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1998/WHO_HPR_HEP_98.1.pdf [Accessed 19 December 2012]. Huber, M., Knottnerus, J. A., Green, L. et al (2011). How should we define health? BMJ, Vol. 342, d4163 [Online] Available at: http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4163 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d4163 [Accessed 19 December 2012]. Tamm, M. E. (1993). Models of health and disease. Br. J. Med. Psychol., 66, 3, pp. 213-228. The Sages Dictionary Online. (2012). [Online] Available at: http://www.sequencepublishing.com/thesageonline.php?lemma=health [Accessed 19 December 2012]. WHO / Re-defining ‘Health’. (2012). [Online] Available at: http://www.who.int/bulletin/bulletin_board/83/ustun11051/en/ [Accessed 19 December 2012]. Read More