Graphic description of the dynamic state of health on a continuum of high level wellness and serious illness on two extreme ends

1. The Health-Illness Continuum
Optimum
wellness
Premature
Death
Nirmala Roberts
India

2. Health & Illness
Health - A dynamic state, in which the individual
adapts to changes in internal and external
environments to maintain a state of well being.
- (Potter & Perry – 2014)
Illness - A process in which the functioning of an
individual is diminished or impaired when
compared to her/ his previous condition.

3. The health illness continuum
A graphic illustration of a well being concept proposed
by John W Travis in 1972.
It describes –
Wellbeing is more than simply an absence of illness
It incorporates the individuals mental and emotional health.
No signs or symptoms of disease does not mean that person is
well

4. Wellness model
The Health-illness Continuum
High level wellness and serious illness are on
opposite ends
Growth
Education
Awareness
Signs
Symptoms
Disability High
level
wellness
Premature
death
Treatment model
Neutral point

5. The Health-Illness Continuum
Health and illness are viewed as opposite ends of a
health continuum
A person moves back and forth within this continuum
every day.
Wide range of health or illness are present
Their placement on the continuum is affected by how
they perceive themselves and how others see them in
terms of health and illness
Optimum
wellness
Premature
Death

6. Movement to the right side arrows  > in level of
health and wellbeing
Achieved in three steps -
Awareness
Education
Growth

7. Movement to the left side arrows  a progressively
decreasing state of health and serious illness.
Achieved in three steps -
Signs
Symptoms
Disability

8. Most important – The direction taken by the
individual
If towards high level of health, a person has a genuine
optimistic or positive out look despite her/ his health
status.
If towards serious illness, a person has a genuinely
pessimistic or negative out look about her/ his health
status.

9. Treatment model Vs Wellness model
Treatment model – The individual moves to right only to the
neutral point
Eg: A hypertensive client takes medications without making any other
life style changes
Wellness model – The individual moves right beyond the
neutral point
Eg :A hypertensive client takes medications. Also stops smoking, loses
weight, starts exercise programme.

10. Health- illness continuum
Health –A dynamic state that fluctuates as a person
adapts to changes to maintain a state of well being
Health and illness –
Are relative concepts (not separate absolutes)
Has two ends as a graduated scale
Health- illness continuum -
Is used to describe the cause of illness
Helps identify risk factors that result from Agent-Host-
Environment

11. Agent - Host – Environment Model
AGENT : SARS CoV-2
(previously known as 2019 – n CoV)
HOST : YOU ENVIRONMENT
Educate, social distancing, quarantine
DISEASE : COVID -19
(Corona Virus Disease 2019)

12. Nurse’s responsibilities
Be aware of own health status and practice a healthy
life style – Be a ROLE MODEL
Help client to identify their place on the Health
Continuum
Assist and educate clients to adopt measures to reach
a well state of health

13. Remain Healthy and Strive to be…