How health is perceived depends on how health is defined. In the
preamble to its constitution, the World Health Organization
(WHO) defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental,
and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and
infirmity” (Hood & Leddy, 2002). Such a definition of health
does not allow for any variation in degrees of wellness or illness.
On the other hand, the concept of a health–illness continuum allows
for a greater range in describing a person’s health status. By
viewing health and illness on a continuum, it is possible to consider
a person as having neither complete health nor complete
illness. Instead, a person’s state of health is ever-changing and has
the potential to range from high-level wellness to extremely poor
health and imminent death. The model of the health–illness continuum
makes it possible to view a person as simultaneously possessing
degrees of both health and illness.
The limitations of the WHO definition of health are clear in
relation to chronic illness and disability. A chronically ill person
cannot meet the standards of health as established by the WHO
definition. However, when viewed from the perspective of the
health–illness continuum, people with chronic illness or disability
HEALTH PROMOTION
Today, increasing emphasis is placed on health, health promotion,
wellness, and self-care. Health is seen as resulting from a
lifestyle that is oriented toward wellness. The result has been the
evolution of a wide range of health promotion strategies, including
multiphasic screening, genetic testing, lifetime health monitoring
programs, environmental and mental health programs,
risk reduction, and nutrition and health education. A growing interest
in self-care skills is evidenced by the large number of healthrelated
publications, conferences, and workshops designed for the
lay public.
Individuals are increasingly knowledgeable about their health
and are encouraged to take more interest in and responsibility
for their health and well-being. Organized self-care education
programs emphasize health promotion, disease prevention, management
of illness, self-medication, and judicious use of the professional
health care system. In addition, well over 500,000
self-help groups and numerous web sites and chat groups exist
for the purpose of sharing experiences and information about
self-care with others who have similar conditions, chronic diseases,
or disabilities.
Special efforts are being made by health care professionals to
reach and motivate members of various cultural and socioeconomic
groups concerning lifestyle and health practices. Stress,
improper diet, lack of exercise, smoking, drugs, high-risk behaviors
(including risky sexual practices), and poor hygiene are all
lifestyle behaviors known to have a negative effect on health.
Health care professionals are concerned with encouraging behavior
that promotes health. The goal is to motivate people to make
improvements in the way they live, to modify risky behaviors, and
to adopt healthy behaviors.