Week 1 - Defining Health Systems Science and Health

Session 2 – Defining Health

  1. Spark Questions
  2. Session summary and reflection
  3. Learning Outcome

Spark Questions

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It is a fundamental human right” (WHO, 1946). 

 

What are the issues with this definition?

This definition, to me, is going in the right direction. It’s a well base definition to build on. The word “complete” should be removed. “Complete” in context is biased. Someone who has lost a leg can still be considered healthy. If you look at a youtuber who goes by name of Alex1Leg (https://www.youtube.com/@Alex1Leg). He is in good shape. He weighted dipped 82 Kg’s in one of his videos (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lcH67oGOk8Q). If you know anything about gymming, you know that it’s impressive even for a “complete” healthy person. Alex lost his leg due to cancer but now he is healthier than the average human. There were comments about the addition of spiritual and religious well-being to the definition but I wouldn’t consider that a main component of health. I consider these as symptoms that dictate health. If you aren’t spiritually or religiously content that will have an impact on all 3 (physical, mental, social well-being). Another definition I have come across from Huber et al. (2011 ) goes like this: “health as the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges.” Alex is the perfect example of this definition of health. The definition needs to incorporate both the WHO definition and Huber et al definitions. 

I propose this definition. Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well being . It is the ability to manage and adapt in order to be content with one’s state of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is not the absence of diseases nor infirmity but how the individual is with the disease or infirmity. 

 

Session summary and reflection

  •  “The body can only exist in harmony if all of its aspects, spiritual, mental, physical, interpersonal, personal and social are stable or in homeostasis” (slide 3)
    •  To an extent, I agree with this. There needs to be a balance but the word “stable” is biased. Who determines what is stable? If the person has issues but is able to adapt and manage the problem that should be considered the balance,
  •  “If I am able to do tasks without having to shove tablets down my throat” (slide 3)
    •  I completely disagree with this statement. There are some terminal illnesses like HIV and Aids. You have to continuously take medications but if you do you are able to adapt and live a healthy life.
  •  What do you understand by the concept of social construct?
    •  Social construct are materials or connections that are given value based on human interaction. Paper money at its core is not valuable but because we can trade it to get resources it is the most valuable material on this planet. There is no need to be formal in a meeting or a classroom but by keeping things formal it shows a sign of respect and thus has become a norm in some areas. It is perfectly normal for a man to prefer the colour pink over blue and that doesn’t make him a female but society dictates that man cannot enjoy the colour pink and so many refrain from doing so. Similarly, also true when girls like the colour blue.
  •  There are 3 ways health ahs become a social construct: (slide 9)
    •  The cultural meaning of illness. 
      •  Some cultures believe there is no such thing as mental illnesses. You don’t have adhd or depression. You are just lazy. 
      •  Even universities or work environments discriminate against mental illnesses. If someone has adhd they are less likely to get into medicine or any difficult degrees because it is believe that they are unable to cope with the pressure. 
    •  The social construction of the illness experience. 
      •  One might think that if they lose a leg that their life is over but if you look at the youtuber, Alex1Leg, he has a full life. He is able to enjoy more activities than most two legged people.
    •  The social construction of medical knowledge. 
      •  One might think because they have asthma they can never run or ever do any form of strong cardio  but this is not true. In fact it aerobic training is recommended.  A study was done by Felipe et al. A total of 101 patients were randomly assigned to either a control group or an aerobic training group and studied during a 3 month period. A linear relationship between improvement in aerobic capacity and the days without asthma symptoms was observed. The results suggest that aerobic training can play an important role in the clinical management of patients with persistent asthma 
      •  (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S001236921060414X)  cite : Mendes, F.A., Gonçalves, R.C., Nunes, M.P., Saraiva-Romanholo, B.M., Cukier, A., Stelmach, R., Jacob-Filho, W., Martins, M.A. and Carvalho, C.R., 2010. Effects of aerobic training on psychosocial morbidity and symptoms in patients with asthma: a randomized clinical trial. Chest, 138(2), pp.331-337.
  •  WHO definition of health:
    •  Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It is a fundamental human right” (WHO, 1946).
  •  Huber et al. definition of health:
    •  “health as the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges.” 
      •  Huber, M., Knottnerus, J.A., Green, L., van der Horst, H., Jadad, A.R., Kromhout, D., Leonard, B., Lorig, K., Loureiro, M.I., van der Meer, J.W. and Schnabel, P., 2011. How should we define health?.
  •  My refined definition that joins the above two:
    •  Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being . It is the ability to manage and adapt in order to be content with one’s state of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is not the absence of diseases nor infirmity but how the individual is with the disease or infirmity

Learning Outcome - Defining Health

  •  Explain and discuss what a social construct is in relation to health.
    •  Social construct in health is the connotation people put in certain illnesses that most of the time is inaccurate and unreliable.
  •  Unpack the WHO definition of health and discuss its significance and limitations.
    •  The WHO definition is a powerful base to work from and needs to be added to. There is some generalisation/oversimplification that needs to be removed and joined with  a more connecting definition.
  •  Compare alternative definitions of health with the WHO definition.
    •  Huber et al. definition of health:
      •  “health as the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges.” 
      •  Huber, M., Knottnerus, J.A., Green, L., van der Horst, H., Jadad, A.R., Kromhout, D., Leonard, B., Lorig, K., Loureiro, M.I., van der Meer, J.W. and Schnabel, P., 2011. How should we define health?.
    •  Articulate your personal definition of health
      •  Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being . It is the ability to manage and adapt in order to be content with one’s state of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is not the absence of diseases nor infirmity but how the individual is with the disease or infirmity
Session 1
Session 3