What is health and is health the absence of disease? | One Minute Science

(This article is taken from the WeChat public number Baogouwa, and has been authorized to be reprinted)

Introduction

In the eyes of most people, no disease seems to be healthy. In fact, this is a negative view of health, no disease does not equal health.

With the progress and development of society, human diseases caused by disasters, plagues, poverty, poor living conditions, etc. Have been greatly reduced, but the competition and fast pace of modern society has created a tense social environment, bringing unprecedented psychological pressure on human beings, and subsequently related diseases, such as hypertension, peptic ulcers, cancer, coronary heart disease, as well as suspicion of people, jealousy, hostility, sadness, nervous disorders, etc. The incidence of these diseases has increased dramatically. For this reason, the traditional concept of health, which is limited to biology, is no longer compatible with modern society.

As soon as the World Health Organization was established in 1948, it was proposed that & quot;health is not only the absence of disease or infirmity, but also includes physical (or physiological) health, mental (or spiritual) health and a state of complete social adaptation." This is known as the three-dimensional view of health, and specifically it consists of three levels.

First, somatic health, also known as physiological health. It means that the body is structurally intact, functions normally, and maintains a relative balance between the body and the environment.

Second, mental health, also known as mental health. Refers to the person's psychological intact state, including the correct understanding of self, correct understanding of the environment, timely adaptation to the environment.

Third, good social adaptability. It means that the individual's ability is fully exercised within the social system, the individual is able to effectively play the role appropriate to his or her identity, and the individual's behavior is consistent with social norms and harmoniously integrated.

This three-dimensional view of health answers the question that the core concept of health is balance, moderation, and what is now often referred to as & quot;harmony". Only in three aspects, so that between the human body and mind, between the human body and the natural environment, between the human body and the social environment to achieve a harmonious mutual adaptation, dynamic balance state, can be considered healthy; any aspect of maladjustment will be out of balance. Or already unhealthy, or at least not the healthiest.