MHA 620 Health Policy Analysis

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

The Various Definitions of Health

Rosalind Brown

February 11, 2017

MHA 620: Health Policy Analysis

Professor Faisal Aboul-Enein

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

The definition of health can mean different things to different people and

organizations. In some cases the definition of health can be subjective and

dependent on the people who are defining it and their specific situation. The most

widely recognized definition of health is the one that is given by the World Health

Organization. According to the World Health Organization "Health is a state of

complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of

disease or infirmity." Most would assume that the absence of infirmity is an

acceptable definition for health, however, this definition goes even further by

saying it is the state of complete mental, physical and social well being of an

individual that defines true health. Most health care policies and organizations are

satisfied with an individual being free from infirmity and considers this to be good

health. However, when mental , physical and social well being are being taken

into consideration there is a shift in the understanding of what it is for an individual

to possess total health. How an organization defines health greatly influences their

policies and decisions. If an organization believes that the absence of infirmity is

health their goal will be to eradicate physical illness and cure people from any

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

physical threats. If an organization believes that health involves physical, mental

and social well being it will take a more all encompassing or holistic approach to

its healthcare, This holistic approach will be evident in policies and have an affect

on the health of the people that the policies affect.

According to www.businessdictionary.com a target population is: " A

particular group of people that is identified as the intended recipient of an

advertisement, product, or campaign." In health policy the target population is the

population that a particular healthcare policy affects. An example would be a

policy from the United States Government about Medicare, its target audience

would be citizens that are retired or disabled and receive disability. Any individual

that the policy could affect is the target population, in other sectors of business the

target population is called the target audience or target market, the people that the

message is being conveyed to.

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

Societal influences affect health care policy through culture, tradition

and the widely accepted definition of health for that specific society. Such

as in certain cultures, it is considered a part of healthiness and cleanliness to

perform circumcisions on male children. This is a societal influence on

healthcare has influenced entire societies to adopt certain medical practices.

Medical practices and beliefs within a society have the tendency to influence

health care policies. These societal or cultural beliefs can help to mold a

nations entire healthcare system which has a definitive impact on health care

policies in that country, According to the World Health Organization "The

context of people’s lives determine their health, and so blaming individuals

for having poor health or crediting them for good health is inappropriate.

Individuals are unlikely to be able to directly control many of the

determinants of health." This implies that an individuals health is influenced

by various economic and societal variables that are beyond their control. The

various health needs of individuals shape and mold the healthcare policies

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

for that region , nation or area.

Aunt Martha's Health Centers is a system of Healthcare facilities that

cater to low income families. Although they provide comprehensive health

care that includes dental and vision. Some of their centers also offer low cost

child care for working parents. "At Aunt Martha’s, we provide patient-

centered health care. That means you are the focus of your health care. You

are the most important person on the health care team." Although Aunt

Martha's is a great asset to healthcare in Illinois it does not share the section

of the definition that pertains to social well being. In the United States the

focus of healthcare is primarily on physical health. Mental health in our

country has a stigma attached to it so it is not openly addressed by

healthcare organizations. There are much fewer resources for mental health

issues than physical health issues. It is more rare to see a health care

organization that addresses social well being . Social well being often goes

unaddressed by health care organizations in our society.

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

The definition of health that is put forth by the World Health

Organization is an all inclusive one that addresses the many needs of people.

The Health Care System in the United States primarily focuses on physical

health and makes mention of mental health but rarely addresses social well

being. Social well being is an important part of overall health and should not

be forgotten.

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

References

Online Business Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2017, from

http://www.businessdictionary.com/

Health Care. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2017, from

https://www.auntmarthas.org/health-care/

The determinants of health. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2017, from

http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/

THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

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