Health is a dynamic process of achieving and maintaining the balance of physical, mental, social, and existential well-being in adapting to conditions of life and the environment. This definition of health is based on Henry Sigerist’s work in the history, sociology and philosophy of medicine from the 1930ies. It was largely due to the influence of Sigerist’s ideas that the 1948 WHO definition focuses on positive health rather than simply the absence of disease or infirmity.
Currently, health is a complex concept that can be influenced by many factors including genetic makeup, environmental conditions (including air pollution and the presence of germs), lifestyle choices such as smoking and diet, access to healthcare resources, and structural factors like poverty or location. These are all interconnected and may influence a range of health outcomes such as chronic diseases, disability and death.
The value of a broad measure of health is that it allows improvement efforts to focus on reducing risks and increasing adaptive capacity to changing environments and circumstances. Moreover, this approach is necessary to address the challenges of globalization and changing demographics in the 21st century. A wide view of health allows individuals to realize their aspirations and achieve full potential in a constantly changing and challenging world. This perspective is also vital for promoting sustainable development. This is why the definition of health should be expanded beyond its current biomedical context. The Technical Preparatory Committee is considering a proposal to this effect.
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