Define health?

WHO definition of health “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

Concept of health

a) Biomedical concept

b) Ecological concept

c) Psychosocial concept

d) Holistic concept

Biomedical Concept (Health has been viewed as an “absence of disease”, and if one was free from disease the person was considered healthy)

Ecological concept: According to ecologists: Health is a dynamic equilibrium between man and his environment, and Disease is a maladjustment of the human organism to environment.

Psychosocial Concept (Health is both a biological and social phenomenon) Psychosocial concept: Health is not only a biomedical phenomenon, but one which is influenced by

social,
psychological,
cultural,
economic and
Political factors of the people concerned.

Holistic concept: It recognizes the strength of social, economic, political and environmental influences on health. Implies that all sectors of society have an effect on health * Ancient view: Sound mind, in a sound body, in a sound family, in sound environment. Emphasis is on promotion and protection of health.

Determinants of Health

1- Human biology

Genetic inheritance Age, Race nd Sex

2- Environmental factors

Environmental factors that could influence health include:

Life support, food, water, air etc
Physical factors such as climate, physical environment.
Biological factors: microorganisms, toxins, Biological waste, ecosystem.
Psycho-social and economic e.g. Crowding, income level.
Chemical factors: industrial wastes, agricultural wastes, air pollution, etc

3- Life style (Behavior)

o is an action that has a specific frequency, duration, and purpose, whether conscious or unconscious. It is associated with practice. It is what we do and how we act.

o Life style of individuals affects their health directly or indirectly.

o Diet, Physical activity, Alcohol, cigarette, and other drug use, Hand washing.

4- Socio-economic factors

Socio-economic conditions have long been known to influence human health. For the majority of the world's people, health status is determined primarily by their level of socio-economic development, e.g., per capita GNP, education, nutrition, employment, housing, the political system of the country, etc.

5- Health care system

· Health care system in terms of their resource in human power, equipment's, money and so on determine the health of people.

· It is concerned with:

· Availability of health service

· Acceptability of the service by the community

· Accessibility

· Quality of care

Health indicators

§ Health status indicators measure different aspects of the health of a population. Examples include life expectancy, infant mortality, maternal mortality, disability or chronic disease rates.

§ Health determinant indicators measure things that influence health. Examples include diet, smoking, water quality, income and access to health services.

§ Indicators are expressed in terms of ratio, rates, proportions, averages, categorical variables or absolute numbers.

Classification of indicators

¨ Mortality indicators

¨ Morbidity indicators

¨ Disability indicators

¨ Nutritional status indicators

¨ Health care delivery indicators

¨ Utilization rates

¨ Social and mental health indicators

¨ Environmental indicators

¨ Socioeconomic indicators

¨ Health policy indicators

¨ Indicators of quality of life

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