Introduction to Public Health

Module # 1
Lecture # 1
Concept of health and determinants of Health
DR. SHAIKH ABDUS SALAM
Dept. of Public Health
North South University

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 OBJECTIVES OF THE LECTURE
By the end of this lecture you will be able to:
o Conceptualize
• Health & its Dimensions
• Determinants of health with importance
• Positive health, Optimum health and Negative health.

Dr. Shaikh Abdus Salam 1

 Concept of Health
• According to WHO(1948)“ Health is a state of
complete physical, mental and social wellbeing
and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity”
• The ability to lead a socially and economically
Productive life.
The definition presents an “Idealistic” rather than a realistic
image of health.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
 Dimensions of Health
Health is multidimensional, e.g.
• Physical Dimension
• Mental dimension
• Social Dimension
• Spiritual Dimension
• Emotional Dimension etc.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Dimensions of Health
Major Dimensions of Health Minor Dimensions of Health
• Physical dimension • Spiritual Dimension
• Mental Dimension • Emotional Dimension
• Social Dimension • Cultural dimension etc.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Dimensions of Health
Physical Dimension: perfect functioning of the body
A physically healthy person may be conceived as
one---
(a) who has a normal anatomical profile.
(b) who has a normal physiological profile
© who has a normal biochemical profile
(d) who possesses a normal nutritional profile

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Good Physical Health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Good Physical Health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Dimensions of Health
Normal anatomical profile:
(a) Skin, mucous membrane, eyes, nose, ears,
hair, teeth, gums, complexion, trunk, extremities,
frame and posture etc. are all normal.
(b) Whose body organs are normal in size, shape
and structure.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Dimensions of Health
• Normal Physiological Profile:
• (a) Vital parameters-( e.g.pulse, respiration,BP &
• temparature) are normal
• (b) Sleep, appetite, energy output, work efficiency &
bowel movement
• © Sensation like touch, taste, hearing are normal
• (d) Processes like respiration,excretion, reproduction &
metabolism are normal
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
 Dimensions of Health
• Normal biochemical profile:
• (a) Blood, serum, plasma , CSF, urine, stool are
biochemically normal.

• (b) Level of nutrients, hormones, enzymes,

electrolytes etc. fall within the normal range.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Dimensions of Health
• Normal nutritional profile:
(a) Height, Weight, body circumference at various
levels fall within the normal range by age and
sex.
(b) Weight for age, Height for age and weight for
height estimation during infancy and childhood
have fallen within expectsd levels.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Dimensions of Health
Mental Dimension: a state of balance between the individual and the
surrounding world.
Criteria of a mentally healthy person:
• Is free from internal conflict
• Is well adjusted
• Has a strong sense of self-esteem
• Knows himself/herself, his/her needs, problems and goals
• Knows his/her strength and weakness
• Has good self-control
• Faces problems and tries to solve them intelligently

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Good Mental Health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Good Mental health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Dimensions of Health
Social Dimension: harmony with other members of society.
Having social identity with the cultural norms of one’s society;
healthy social relations, can discharge several roles at a time as
and when demanded by the society etc.
Emotional Dimension: it relates to feeling, love, thinking, curiosity
of mind, ability to cope with life events etc.
Spiritual Dimension of health: It is related to soul or spirit which
is an essential ingredient of human life and personality. Who
believes in spiritual philosophy of life and after life, often drawn
from the religion that one professes ; that person is constant
communion with the Creator and tries to keep it alive through
regular prayers, meditations & Abdus
Dr.Shaikh otherSalam
forms of worship.
 Good Social health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Good social health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Good Spritual Health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Good Cultural Health

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Determinants of Health
The factors which influence health lie both within
the individual and externally in the society in
which he/she lives are collectively known as
determinants of health.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Determinants of Health
The more important determinants are as follows:
1.Biological/ Genetic factor:
2.Behavioral factor:
3. Environmental :
4. Socio-economic :
5.Socio-cultural:
6. Health system :
7. Aging of the population :
8. Sciences and technology :
9. Information and communication :
10.Gender :
11. Equity and Social Justice :
12. Human rights:
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
 Determinants of Health
• Type of Determinants:
• (a) External determinants/factors (b) Internal determinants/factors
• or
• 1. Personal determinants/factors: Genetic, health awareness, Healthy life
style & sound philosophy of life.

• 2. Environmental determinants/factors: Family env., physical env., social

env. & occupational env.

• 3. Governmental determinants: Socio-economic development, health care

system & Political commitment.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Positive Health
Positive health is the notion of perfect
functioning(an ideal state of health) of the body
and mind. No one can achieve that ideal state.
There are bound to be some deficiencies in one
or more dimensions of health.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Optimum Health
• When all the dimensions are in optimum level. It
is a compromise between negative and positive
health. It is the realistic goal, well within the
reach of individuals. Investment towards
optimum health is the best investment for a
country can make.

Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam

 Negative Health
• When a person is having the health after
recently discharge from a hospital after curing
the health problems.
• It is not an asset.
• People in negative health are vulnerable to
diseases.
• It is the end point of patient management in an
ideal hospital.
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam
Dr.Shaikh Abdus Salam