INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH

& HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

Definition of Health

 Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.

 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.

 Governments have a responsibility for the health of their peoples which can be fulfilled
only by the provision of adequate health and social measures.
Concept Of Health

 An understanding of health is the basis of all the health care.

 Health is not perceived the same way by all the members of a community including
various professional groups (like biomedical scientists, social scientists, health
administrators, ecologists) giving rise to confusion about the concept of health.
Concept Of Health

 Health has evolved over the centuries from the concept of individual concern to a
worldwide social goal.
 The various changing concepts of health as follows:
1. Biomedical concept
2. Ecological concept
3. Psychosocial concept
4. Holistic concept
Biomedical concept

 Traditionally health has been considered as an absence of the diseases and if someone was free
from disease, then that person was considered healthy.
 This concept is known as biomedical concept, and it is based on the “germ theory of the disease
Biomedical concept

Health means “absence of disease.”

• The medical profession viewed the human body as a machine and disease is an outcome of
the breakdown of the machine, and one of the doctor’s tasks was to repair the machine.
• This concept has minimized the role of the environment, social and cultural determinants of
the health.

Developments in medical and social sciences led to the conclusion that the biomedical
concept of health was inadequate
Ecological Concept

 Deficiencies in the biomedical concept gave rise to other concepts.

• The ecologists put forward the concept of ecological concept.
• Ecologists viewed health as a dynamic equilibrium between man and his environment, and
the disease as a maladjustment of the human organism to environment.
Psychosocial Concept

 Advances in social sciences showed that health is not only a biomedical phenomenon, but
one which is influenced by social, psychological, cultural, economic and political factors
of the people concerned.
 •These factors must be taken into consideration in defining and measuring health.
 •Thus health is both a biological and social phenomenon
 Holistic Concept

 The holistic model is a synthesis of all the above concepts.

 Holistic concept recognizes the strength of social, economic, political and environmental influences on
health.
 It has been variously described as multidimensional process involving the wellbeing of the person as a
whole.
 The emphasis is on the promotion and protection of health.
 The holistic approach implies that all sectors of the society have an effect on health, in particular,
agriculture, animal husbandry, food, industry, education, housing, public works and other sectors.
 Physical Dimensions

 Physical health means perfect functioning of the body in which each organ is working in harmony with the
maximum capacity.
 Physical health is achieved by the exercise, healthy diet, adequate rest and sleep and no smoking or alcohol intake.
 To maintain proper physical health there is need for taking safety precautions, and regular follow up with the health
care providers. Signs of physical health :
 A good complexion.
 A clean skin.
 Bright eyes.
Physical Dimensions

 Not too fatty.

 A sweet breath.
 A good appetite.
 Sound sleep.
 Regular activities of bowels and bladder.
 Smooth, easy, and coordinated bodily movements.
Evaluation of Physical Health

 1. Self assessment of overall health.

 2. Inquiry about ill health and risk factors.
 3. Inquiry in to medications.
 4. Standardized questionnaire for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
 5. Clinical examinations.
 6. Nutritional and dietary history.
 7. Biochemical and laboratory investigations.
 Mental Dimensions

 Mental health is a state of balance between body and mind . Earlier the body and mind were considered two
separate entities.
 But these are interrelated as physical illness can result mental illness and vice versa.
 How mental illness influence physical health has been shown in fig;
 Characteristics of mentally healthy person

1. Mentally healthy person will be capable of making personal and social adjustment.
2. Mentally healthy person is free from internal conflicts.
3. He faces problems and tries to solve them intelligently.
4. He has good self control balances rationally and emotionally.
5. He knows him self his needs problems and goals.
6. He has strong sense of self esteem.
7. He searches for identity.
8. He lives a well balanced life means able to maintain the balance between work rest and recreation
 Social Dimensions

 An individual is socially healthy if he is able to maintain harmonious relationship with other members of
society in which he lives.
 Social health rooted in “positive material environment” and “positive human environment” which is
concerned with the social network of the individual.
 The social dimensions of health includes;
 Communication
 Intimacy
 Respect
 Equality
 Social functioning
Spiritual Dimensions

 Spirituality means in touch with deeper self and exploration the purpose of life, as people
believe in some force that transcend physiology and psychology of human beings.
 It includes love , charity, purpose , principles , ethics, integrity, hope of life.
 Meditations ,prayers, or spiritual gatherings are organized to maintain spiritual health.
Emotional Dimensions

 Emotional health is closely related to the mental health and is considered as an important
element of health.
  Mental and emotional aspects of health are now viewed as two separate entities for
human life.
  Cognition is related to the mental health whereas emotional health is related to the
feelings of a person.
Emotional Dimensions

 Emotional health includes ;

 An emotionally healthy person has a positive thinking and is capable of coping and
adjusting self.
 An emotionally healthy person participates in all the activities which are related to
personal growth and his self esteem.
 Emotionally well people have the ability to express feelings freely and manage feelings
effectively.
 They are also aware of and accept a wide range of feelings in themselves and others.
 Vocational Dimension

 The choice of profession, job satisfaction, career ambitions and personal performance are all important
components of this dimension.
 To be occupationally well, a person is ultimately doing exactly with what they want to do in life and are
comfortable with their future plans.
 Vocational dimension of health can be assessed by ;
 Assessing the satisfaction level at job ,
 Facilities attached to the job ,
 Behavior of the management and administrator and of colleagues at job
 Other dimensions :

 A few other dimensions also suggested such as ;

 Cultural dimensions
 Socio-economic dimensions
 Environmental dimensions
 Educational dimensions
 Nutritional dimensions
 Preventive dimensions