The document discusses the changing concepts of health over time. It begins by defining health as the absence of disease according to the oldest and WHO definitions. It then explains that health is perceived differently by various professional groups. The concept of health has evolved from an individual concern to a worldwide social goal encompassing quality of life. The document outlines 4 main concepts of health - the biomedical concept which views the human body as a machine, the ecological concept which sees health as a dynamic equilibrium between humans and their environment, the psychological concept which is influenced by various social factors, and the holistic concept which synthesizes all previous concepts and sees health as a unified multidimensional process involving well-being in one's environment.
2. HEALTH
• Health is a common theme in most
cultures.
• The oldest definition of health is the
“absence of disease”.
• The definition of health according to
WHO
“Health is a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being
and not merely an absence of disease or
infirmity”.
3. CHANGING CONCEPTS
• Health is not perceived the same way by
all members of a community including
various professional groups
(eg.biomedical scientists, social science
specialists, health administrators,
ecologists, etc.) giving rise to confusion
about the concept of health.
• Health has evolved over the centuries as
a concept from an individual concern to a
worldwide social goal and encompasses
the whole quality of life
6. A brief account of changing concept of
health:
1.Biomedical concept :
Absence of disease.
Human body as a machine, disease as
a consequence, of the breakdown of
the machine & one of the doctor’s
task as repair of the machine.
Critism of biomedical concept of
heath.
7. 2. Ecological Concept:
A dynamic equilibrium between man
and his environment and disease as a
maladjustment of the human organism
to environment.
Health implies the relative absence of
pain and discomfort and a continuous
adaptation and adjustment to the
environment to ensure optimal
function.
8. 3. Psychological concept:
Influenced by social, psychological,
cultural, economic and political factors
of the people.
Health is both a biological and social
phenomenon.
9. 4. Holistic Concept:
It is synthesis of all the above
concepts.
Strength of social, economic, political
and environmental influences on
health.
A unified or multidimensional process
involving well-being of the person in
context of his environment.
