There are many ways to define good health. For example, some define it in terms of disease risk and function. Other ways define health are based on observation. The definition of good health may differ depending on the environment and the person’s lifestyle. A sea-level dweller who has to shovel snow for hours on end may be suffering from heart attacks while living in the mountains. The definition of health must be flexible enough to accommodate such changes. A person who is suffering from shortness of breath or anemia could be healthy when he or she has a heart attack.
Despite these definitions, it is important to understand the complexities of the process of promoting health. Many nations have adopted their own constitutions that acknowledge health as a basic human right. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that people have the right to enjoy the highest possible standard of health without distinction of race, economic status, or political belief. Numerous nation states have made this right to health a part of their constitution, making it their legal duty to provide access to quality health in a timely manner. They also must provide the determinants of health.
In Ottawa, the charter of human rights includes a definition of health. The concept is a broader concept, encompassing the physical, mental, and social dimensions of a person’s life. The Ottawa charter emphasizes the importance of good health for a person’s participation in society. A person’s health is an object of living, not an end in itself. And it also implies that a person’s health must be promoted to ensure the flourishing of society.
According to the World Health Organization, health is complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and is a fundamental human right. While genes and health care account for about 15 percent of health, many other factors also contribute to health. According to the Massachusetts State Health Assessment, there are other factors that affect health and can be influenced by money and power. Many factors affect health, including the level of stress a person experiences. If they are not addressed, the consequences can be severe.
A lack of equal opportunities for good health affects the quality of life for everyone. Health is often a function of geography and socio-economic conditions. Inequitable health conditions are also related to racial or ethnic groups. People of different racial and ethnic groups experience disproportionately lower levels of health, and inequity can be reduced by improving opportunities for all. Equal access to quality education will enhance the workforce skills of those who live in disadvantaged communities.
Genetics play a role in an individual’s health, including the environment in which they live. Genetics can influence a person’s predisposition to certain diseases, the type of diet that someone eats, and the way they cope with stress. For example, the diet of people from different social groups in Europe correlated with lower mortality rates. These people ate more fruits and vegetables and were less likely to experience health problems. Further, a poor diet was associated with lower quality of life and increased stress.