Health

There are different definitions of health, which have been used over time for different purposes. Health can be promoted by encouraging healthy activities, such as regular physical exercise and adequate sleep, and by reducing or avoiding unhealthy activities or conditions, such as smoking or excessive stress. . . Some factors affecting health are due to individual choices, such as whether to engage in high-risk behavior, while others are due to structural causes, such as how society is structured in such a way that people are Easy or hard to get. Essential health care services. Still, other factors are beyond individual and group selection, such as genetic disorders.

History

The meaning of health has evolved over time. In keeping with the biological perspective, early definitions of health focused on the subject of the body's ability to function. Health was seen as a state of normal functioning that could be affected by disease from time to time. An example of such a definition of health is: "a state characterized by physical, physiological, and psychological integrity; the ability to fulfill personally valued family, work, and social roles; freedom from physical, biological, psychological, and social stressors." freedom." Coping ability." Then, in 1948, in a radical departure from previous definitions, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a definition aimed at higher, linking health with well-being, "physical, mental and social. In terms of welfare. being, and not merely disease and infirmity" Although this definition was accepted by some as innovative, it was criticized for being vague and overly broad and was long considered impractical. was given in. Ideal, with much of the discussion of health returning to the pragmatism of the biomedical model.

Just as there was a shift from viewing illness as a condition to thinking of it as a process, so too did definitions of health. Again, WHO played an important role when it promoted the health promotion movement in the 1980s. This led to a new conception of health, not as a state, but in dynamic terms of resilience, in other words, "a means of living". In 1984, the WHO revised the definition of health, defining it as "the extent to which an individual or group is able to meet its wants and needs and to be able to change or cope with the environment. Health Life A means, not an end is a positive concept, emphasizing a person's physical, intellectual, and social resources, the ability to manage stress, acquire skills, and maintain relationships, all of which are flexible and independent. Health opens up many possibilities for living

Since the late 1970s, the federal Healthy People Program has been a prominent component of the United States' approach to improving population health. Each decade, a new version of Healthy People is released, which includes updated goals and identifies topic areas and worthwhile goals for improving health over the next ten years. , which evaluates progress or lack thereof at this point. Progress has been limited by a number of factors, leading to concerns about the utility of healthy people shaping outcomes in the context of a decentralized and uncoordinated US health system. . Healthy People 2020 places greater emphasis on health promotion and prevention approaches and places considerable emphasis on the importance of addressing the social determinants of health. A newly expanded digital interface facilitates the use and distribution of previously produced large print books. The impact of these changes on healthy individuals will be determined in the coming years.

Systematic activities are performed by health care providers to prevent or treat health problems and promote good health in humans. Animal health applications are covered by Veterinary Sciences. The term "healthy" is also used in the context of many types of non-living things and their effects for the benefit of humans, such as healthy communities, healthy cities or healthy environments. In addition to health care interventions and a person's surroundings, many other factors are known to affect the health status of individuals. These are called "determinants of health," including a person's background, lifestyle, economic status, social conditions, and spirituality. Studies show that high levels of stress can affect human health.

In the first decade of the 21st century, the concept of health as a capability opened the door to self-evaluation to assess the effectiveness of efforts to improve human health. It also created an opportunity for everyone to feel healthy, even in the presence of multiple chronic diseases, and to reassess the determinants of health (beyond the traditional view that the spread of disease causes disease). focuses on reducing).

Determinants

See also: Social determinants of health and risk factors

In general, the context in which an individual lives matters greatly to both their health status and quality of life. It is increasingly recognized that health is not only maintained through the development and application of health science but also improved through individual and societal efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices. According to the World Health Organization, the main determinants of health include the social and economic environment, the physical environment, and individual characteristics and behaviors of the individual.

More specifically, the main factors that affect whether people are healthy or unhealthy are:

Education and Literacy

Employment/Working Conditions

Income and social status

Physical environment

Social environment

Social support networks

Biology and Genetics

Culture

gender

Health care services

Healthy child development

Personal health practices and coping skills

In recent years, a growing number of studies and reports from different organizations and contexts in many countries have examined the links between health and various factors, including lifestyle, environment, healthcare organization, and health policy. A specific health policy introduced was the introduction of sugar. Tax Beverage taxes came into the spotlight with growing concerns about obesity, particularly among young people. Sugar-sweetened beverages have become the target of anti-obesity initiatives and there is increasing evidence of their association with obesity. The World Health Organization's World Health Reports series focuses on global health issues including access to health care and improving public health outcomes, particularly in developing countries.

The concept of the "health sector", as distinct from medical care, emerged from the Lalonde report from Canada. The report identifies three interdependent areas as key determinants of an individual's health. These are:

Biomedical: All aspects of health, physical and mental, are influenced by the genetic makeup of the human body.

Environmental: All factors related to health that are external to the human body and over which the individual has little or no control.

Lifestyle: The set of personal decisions (ie, over which the individual has control) that can be attributed to illness or death.

Health maintenance and promotion is achieved through various combinations of physical, mental, and social well-being—a combination sometimes referred to as the "triangle of health." Not just a state, but "a resource for everyday life, not an end to life. Health is a positive concept that emphasizes social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities."

Focusing more on lifestyle issues and their relationship to active health, data from the Alameda County Study suggested that people should exercise, get enough sleep, spend time in nature, and maintain a healthy physical You can improve your health by maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding smoking. Health and illness can coexist, as individuals with multiple chronic diseases or disorders may consider themselves healthy.

If you want to know the health of a population, look at the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the places they live.

- Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, 5th century BC

The environment is often cited as an important factor influencing the health status of individuals. It includes characteristics of the natural environment, built environment, and social environment. Factors such as clean water and air, adequate housing, and safe communities and roads have been shown to contribute to good health, especially for infants and children. Some studies show that a lack of nearby recreational areas, including the natural environment, leads to lower levels of personal satisfaction and higher levels of obesity, which is related to overall health and well-being. It has been shown that spending more time in natural environments is associated with better self-reported health, suggesting that the positive health benefits of natural space in urban neighborhoods should be taken into account in public policy and land use.

Genetics, or traits inherited from parents, also play a role in determining the health status of individuals and populations. This can include both certain diseases and health conditions, as well as habits and behaviors that individuals develop through their family's lifestyle. For example, genetics can play a role in how people deal with mental, emotional or physical stress. For example, obesity is a major problem in the United States that contributes to poor mental health and causes stress in many people's lives. One difficulty is the issue raised by the debate over the relative strength of genetics and other factors. Interactions between genetics and environment may be of particular importance.

Potential problems

Many health problems are common worldwide. The disease is one of the most common. According to GlobalIssues.org , about 36 million people die each year from non-communicable (ie, non-communicable) diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.

Among infectious diseases, both viral and bacterial, AIDS/HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria are the most common, causing millions of deaths each year.

Another health problem that causes death or contributes to other health problems is malnutrition, especially in children. One of the groups most affected by malnutrition is young children. About 7.5 million children under the age of 5 die of malnutrition, usually due to lack of money to find or prepare food.

Physical injuries are also a common health problem worldwide. These injuries, including broken bones and burns, can reduce a person's quality of life or cause death, including infections that result from the injury (or usually severe injury).

Lifestyle choices are contributing factors to poor health in many cases. These include smoking, and can also include poor diet, whether overeating or overly restrictive diets. Inactivity can also contribute to health problems, such as lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and neglect of oral hygiene. and when they come up).

Although most of these health problems are preventable, a major contributor to global ill health is the fact that nearly 1 billion people lack access to the health care system.[28] Of course, One of the most common and damaging health problems is that many people do not have access to quality treatment.

Mental health

The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which a person realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and productively, and can It is not just about mental illness that can contribute to the community or its mental health.

Mental illness is defined as a spectrum of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral conditions that interfere with social and emotional well-being and people's lives and productivity.' Having a mental illness can temporarily or permanently impair a person's brain function. Other terms include: 'mental health problem', 'illness', 'disorder', and 'disorder'.

About 20 percent of all adults in the United States suffer from a mental disorder. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada. Examples of these disorders include schizophrenia, ADHD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and autism.

?Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry

Family history of mental health problems

Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse

to maintain

Achieving and maintaining health is an ongoing process, shaped by the evolution of both healthcare knowledge and practices, as well as personal strategies and systematic interventions to stay healthy.

Diet

An important way to maintain one's personal health is through a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods that provide the body with nutrients. Such nutrients provide energy to the body and keep it active. Nutrients help build and strengthen bones, muscles, and tendons and also regulate body processes (ie blood pressure). Water is essential for growth, reproduction, and good health. Macronutrients are consumed in relatively large amounts and include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fatty acids. Micronutrients – vitamins and minerals – are consumed in relatively small amounts, but are essential for body function. The Food Guide Pyramid is a pyramid-shaped guide to healthy foods divided into sections. Each section shows recommended amounts for each food group (ie protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sugars). Making healthy food choices can reduce one's risk of heart disease and some types of cancer, and can help keep weight within a healthy range.

The Mediterranean diet is generally associated with health-promoting effects. This is sometimes due to the inclusion of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, isoprenoids, and alkaloids.

Exercise

Physical exercise enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and well-being. It strengthens one's bones and muscles and improves the cardiovascular system. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are four types of exercise: endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance. The CDC states that physical exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, depression, and anxiety. In order to counteract potential risks, it is often recommended that physical exercise be started gradually. Participating in any exercise, whether it's housework, yard work, walking, or standing while talking on the phone, is often considered to be better than none for health.

?Sleep and insomnia

Sleep is an essential component for maintaining good health. Sleep is also very important for growth and development in children. A chronic lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of some chronic health problems. In addition, sleep deprivation appears to be associated with both increased susceptibility to illness and slower recovery time from illness. In one study, chronically sleep-deprived people, who slept six hours or less a night, were four times more likely to catch a cold than those who slept seven hours or more a night. Because of sleep's role in regulating metabolism, insufficient sleep can also contribute to weight gain or, conversely, weight loss. Additionally, in 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the global Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer research agency, declared that "shift work involving circadian disruption is probably carcinogenic to humans", discussing the risks of long-term night work on sleep. Because of his intervention. In 2015, the National Sleep Foundation released updated recommendations for age-based sleep duration requirements, concluding that "individuals who habitually sleep outside the normal range are at increased risk of serious health problems." Signs or symptoms may appear or, if done voluntarily, they are compromising their health and well-being

Age and condition sleep requirements

Newborn (0-3 months) 14 to 17 hours

Infants (4-11 months) 12 to 15 hours

Toddler (1-2 years) 11 to 14 hours

Preschool (3-5 years) 10 to 13 hours

School-going children (6–13 years) 9 to 11 hours

Adolescent (14-17 years) 8 to 10 hours

Adults (18-64 years) 7 to 9 hours

Older adults (65 years and older) 7 to 8 hours

Role of science

Health science is the branch of science that focuses on health. There are two main approaches to health science: the study and research of the body and health problems to understand how humans (and animals) work, and the use of this knowledge to improve health and prevent and treat disease. of the. of the. and for other physical and mental disorders. Science consists of many sub-disciplines, including biology, biochemistry, physics, epidemiology, pharmacology, and medical sociology. Applied health sciences seek to better understand and improve human health through applications in fields such as health education, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, and public health.

Systematic interventions to improve health based on principles and methods developed by the health sciences in medicine, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and other health care professions, provided by trained practitioners. Clinical practitioners focus primarily on the health of individuals, while public health professionals consider the overall health of communities and populations. Workplace wellness programs are increasingly being adopted by companies for their importance in improving the health and well-being of their employees, as are schools for improving the health and well-being of children. . . Get health services.

Role of medicine and medical science

Contemporary medicine is commonly administered in the health care system. Legal, regulatory, and financial frameworks are established by individual governments, sometimes supplemented by international organizations, such as churches. The characteristics of any healthcare system have a significant impact on the way medical care is delivered.

From ancient times, the Christian emphasis on practical charity led to the development of organized nursing and hospitals, and the Catholic Church is today the largest non-governmental provider of medical services in the world. Carr - Operative Health Insurance. It aims to ensure that the entire population has access to medical care based on need rather than ability to pay. Delivery can take place through private medical practices or public hospitals and clinics, or through charities, usually a combination of all three.

Most tribal societies provide no health insurance for the population as a whole.[56] In such societies, health care is available to those who can afford or pay for it. . Self-insured (either directly or as part of an employment contract) or whose care may be financed directly by the government or tribe.

Transparency of information is another factor defining the delivery system. Access to information about conditions, treatments, quality, and prices greatly influences patient/consumer choices and preferences of medical professionals. While the U.S. healthcare system has come under fire for its lack of openness, new legislation could encourage more openness. There is a tension between the need for transparency and issues such as patient privacy, on the one hand, and the potential exploitation of information for commercial gain, on the other.

Delivery

Health care, clinics, hospitals, and hospices

The provision of medical care is classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary care categories.

Primary care medical services are provided by physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or other health professionals who make the first contact with a patient seeking medical treatment or care. These occur in doctors' offices, clinics, nursing homes, schools, home visits, and other places close to patients. About 90% of medical visits can be treated by a primary care provider. These include treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, preventive care, and health education for all ages and both sexes.

Secondary care medical services are provided by physicians in their offices or clinics or at local community hospitals for a patient referred by a primary care provider who previously diagnosed or treated the patient. Referrals are made for patients who require a skill or procedure performed by a specialist. These include ambulatory care and inpatient services, emergency departments, intensive care medicine, surgery services, physical therapy, labor and delivery, endoscopy units, diagnostic laboratory and medical imaging services, hospice centers, etc. Some primary care providers may also provide care. Childbirth in inpatient and secondary care settings.

Tertiary care medical services are provided by specialist hospitals or regional centers that are equipped with diagnostic and treatment facilities not normally available in local hospitals. These include trauma centers, burn treatment centers, advanced neonatology unit services, organ transplants, high-risk pregnancies, radiation oncology, etc.

Modern medical care also depends on information – still provided in many health care settings on paper records, but increasingly by electronic means today.

In low-income countries, modern health care is often too expensive for the average person. International healthcare policy researchers have advocated the removal of "user fees" in these areas to ensure access, although significant costs and barriers remain after removal.

In medicine and pharmacy, the separation of prescribing and dispensing is the practice in which the prescribing physician is independent of the pharmacist dispensing the prescription medication. In the Western world, pharmacists have been separated from doctors for centuries. In Asian countries, it is traditional for doctors to dispense medicines as well.

The role of public health

See also: Global Health

Public health is defined as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the coordinated efforts and informed choices of societies, organizations, public and private, communities, and individuals." The overall health of the community is based on population health analysis. The population in question can be as small as a handful of people or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents (for example, in the case of an epidemic). Public health has many subfields but typically includes the interdisciplinary categories of epidemiology, biostatistics, and health services. Environmental health, community health, behavioral health, and occupational health are also important areas of public health.

Public health interventions focus on disease, injury, and other health conditions, case surveillance, and the promotion of healthy behaviors, communities, and (in human health aspects) environments. It aims to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of health problems through implementing educational programs, developing policies, and managing services and research. In many cases, treating a disease or controlling a pathogen may be necessary to prevent it in others, such as during an outbreak. Vaccination programs and condom distribution to prevent the spread of epidemics are examples of general preventive public health measures, as are educational campaigns to promote vaccination and condom use (including overcoming resistance to such).

Public health also takes various measures to limit health disparities between different regions of the country and in some cases between continents or the world. One issue is access to health care for individuals and communities regardless of financial, geographic, or sociocultural barriers. Public health system applications include the areas of maternal and child health, health services management, emergency response, and infectious and chronic disease prevention and control.

The great positive effects of public health programs are widely recognized. Due to policies and initiatives developed through public health, the 20th century recorded a decline in infant and child mortality and a steady increase in life expectancy in most parts of the world. For example, it is estimated that life expectancy for Americans has increased by thirty years since 1900 and by six years worldwide since 1990.