 Health is considered as an important part of

human life by all communities. But, its

Concept or the meaning differs with each
community and each individual in a
community, depending upon their socio-
cultural and environmental conditions. It is
also seen that the concept of health changed
over time depending upon scientific and
socio-economic developments and
advancements.
 According to this concept health is viewed as freedom from
disease i.e. individual is considered healthy only if he does
not have any disease. It also stresses that ill health is caused
by disease producing organisms e.g. typhoid is caused by
salmonella typhosa, cholera by cholera vibro. The human
body is considered as a machine and disease is due to
breakdown of this machine. 'The doctor's or any other health
worker's work is to repair this machine.

 This concept of health ignored the role of social,

environmental and cultural factors in disease causation. This
model was found to be inadequate to solve the problems of
malnutrition, chronic diseases like diabetes, peptic ulcer,
drug abuse and accidents. Since these diseases are not
caused by disease producing organisms but by other
causative factor e.g. inadequate nutrition, lack of exercise,
over exertion, emotional stress, pollutants etc.
 According to this concept health is viewed as a harmonious
relationship between man and his environment, and disease
as maladjustment of the man to his environment. There is a
continuous adaptation and adjustment of human being to his
environment. There is a feeling of wellbeing, relative absence
of pain and discomfort when man is able to adjust with his
environment and feeling of ill health when he is not able to
adjust.
 According to ecological concept health is viewed as
continuous harmonious relationship between man and his
environment. It means as long as human Beings follow
desirable natural principles of healthful living, they can live
healthy and happy life. Once this balance between man and
his environment is disturbed, there is maladjustment and it
can cause various diseases. For example industrialization and
urbanization, increasing population and overcrowding,
transport etc. Have resulted in pollution, air, water and soil.
 According to this concept health is not only
affected by disease producing organisms,
physical environmental conditions and harmful
personal practices but also gets affected by
various other factors such as social,
psychological, cultural, ecological and political.
For example many health problems like peptic
ulcer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart
problems and mental health problems are mainly
due to various psycho-social and cultural factors.
'Therefore all the factors including biomedical,
environmental and Psycho-socio-cultural and
economical factors need to be considered white
assessing health status of people at any time.
 According to this concept human being is
considered as a whole person comprising of
body, mind and soul. He lives under the influence
of various factors in his environment/community.
These factors include biological, physical,
environmental, social, psychological, cultural,
economical ant1 political resources available in
the community. These factors influence and
determine total health of body, mind and soul i.e.
physical, mental, social and spiritual health. This
concept emphasized on promotion and
maintenance of health. holistic concept of health
is comprehensive concept.
 “Health is a state of complete physical, mental,
social and spiritual well being and not merely an
absence of disease or infirmity” ( WHO 1994)
 State of freedom from pain, illness & disabilities.
 The condition of being sound in body, mind or
spirit & especially freedom from physical disease or
pain.
 Relative state of freedom from pain and discomfort
and continuous adaptation and adjustments to the
environment to ensure optimal functioning.
 A sound mind in a sound body, in a sound family,
in a sound community environment.
 “Health is the expression of the extent to
which the individual and the social body
maintain in readiness the resources required
to meet the exigencies of the future ” (Dubos)

 “Health is a state of optimum capacity of an

individual for the effective performance of
that roles and tasks for which he has been
socialized” (Parson)
1. Physical Health Dimension
- Related to body
- Characteristics of healthy individual
- Assessment of physical health- Self
assessment of overall health, general
observations, clinical examinations,
nutrition & dietary assessment, biochemical
& laboratory investigations
- Related to mind
- Healthy when make adjustment
- Characteristics of mentally healthy person-
 Know strengths & weaknesses and accept them
 Needs, problems, goals tries to fulfil them
 Free from tensions
 Self esteem & self confidence
 Control over emotions
 Harmonious relationship with people &
environment

Mental health & physical health are interdependent

- Related to social self of an individual
- Characteristics of socially healthy
 Socialize normally with family, neighbor &
friends & establish relationship
 Accepts social culture, values & ethics of
community
 Contribute in modifying socio-cultural
behaviour
 Regulates socio-economic conditions to
satisfy material needs
- Related to soul & spirit
- Refers to individual’s faith in supernatural power
& religious aspects which affects life & health
- Characteristics of Spiritually healthy person
 Faith & beliefs in supernatural power
 Respects ethical values, principles & practices
 Maintains integrity
 Understand meaning of life & leads to purposeful
life
 Faces realities of life
 Respects & regards religious feelings
 Environment

Heredity Life Style

Determinants of
Health

Socio-
Other
economic
Factors
Conditions

Health &
Family
Welfare
Services
 Community
Level
Individual &
Family State Level
Level

Optimum
Health