The state of health is holistic. The World Health Organization describes health as: "a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".[1]
Why is this important?
A person's health impacts and is impacted by all aspects of their life. Access to the social determinants of health affects both physical and mental health.[2]
Health is also impacted by experiences and health behaviours. For example, adverse childhood experiences increase the likelihood that a person will experience poor health outcomes.[3] Positive health behaviours can promote health, while negative health behaviours can put people at risk of developing health conditions.[4]
Health Concepts
References
[1] World Health Organization (1948). WHO Frequently Asked Questions: What is the definition of Health? Available at: http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/
[2] Mikkonen, J. & Raphael, D. (2010). Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts. Toronto: York University School of Health Policy and Management. Available at: http://www.thecanadianfacts.org/The_Canadian_Facts.pdf
[3] Fellitti, V.J., Anda, R.F., Nordenberg, D. Williamson, D.F., Spitz, A.M., Edwards, V., Koss, M.P., Marks, J.S. (1998). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults.The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventative Medicine 14(4): 245-258. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9635069
[4] Statistics Canada (2016). Health Behaviours. Available at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-229-x/2009001/deter/int3-eng.htm