Health refers to the physical, mental and emotional state with the absence of illness or any medically measured risk factors. In 2009, The Lancet defined health as the capacity of a body to hold new threats and infirmities.
Health is considered a fundamental human right to every citizen of the country and is not merely free from diseases but involves social well-being too, as per the constitution of the World Health Organization, 1948. It states, “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.“
It further says that one should receive “timely, acceptable and affordable healthcare facilities with the assurance of quality treatment.“
The health infrastructure comprises well-equipped machines, specialist doctors, nurses and other paramedical professionals, including pharmaceutical industries. A healthy individual takes part in the development and growth process of the country with his abilities and willpower and uses the health-related services judiciously.
Types of Health
- Physical Health: It means the condition of a physical body and how suitable it is to function considering its all parts with flexibility. It is affected by sufficient intake of nutrition, physical activity, rest, and environment zones where the person is residing or at the place. It encourages us to take proper care of the body in terms of strength and endurance. One should intake nutrition, a balanced diet, and plenty of water to help achieve the body’s physical fitness.
- Mental Health: The psychological state should be maintained at an appropriate level of emotional adjustments and the behaviour being shown. Good mental health does not mean free of illness; it indicates how the stress and relationships are managed, which could be done by instilling a sense of confidence, optimism, acknowledgement of being oneself, performing yoga and exercises.
- Social Health: It is the state of being friendly and interactive with others and pursuing different situations with calmness and happiness. Strong social relations help foster communities at all levels.
- Environmental Health: It is essential to know how the environment and surroundings (things in the natural environment such as air, water and soil, physical, biological, chemical and social features) affect human health. The National Institute of Environmental Health Science states that the environment consists of lifestyle factors, namely diet and exercise, socio-economic position and other societal influences that could impact health accordingly.
- Spiritual Health: It sets the aim and purpose of life in understanding beliefs, morals and ethics. According to the National Wellness Institute, one should respect, tolerate others’ opinions, and live with values that remain with oneself while being true to yourself. Religious faith principles also affect spirituality, and the inner calm to survive and thrive in every situation of predicament should remain consistent. For instance, one should meditate, spend their time in nature, walk and cycle for a particular period.
World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year, and the theme for 2021 is “Building a fairer, healthier world“. For an accelerated action on health-related issues, WHO south-east Asia, Regional Director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh says, “We must enhance the collection and use of timely and reliable health data that is disaggregated by gender, age, income, education, migratory status and disability among other factors.“
