Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of full physical, emotional and social well being and not just the absence of illness and disease. Various definitions have been applied to the concept of health over the years. Some of these are sociological, preventive, communicative or personal aspects of health.
Socioeconomic status refers to one’s position in society. Socioeconomic status is influenced by the place one has occupied in society. This includes his/her education, job and other achievements. A person who is wealthy has good health, whereas a person who is poor has poor health. A person who is middle class has good health and is economically well off while the person who is the upper class is physically healthy but has poor health due to stress, bad diet, smoking, exercise and so on.
The concept of healthful lifestyle aims at promoting physical well-being. It also aims at preventing and reducing diseases, disability and mortality. Promotion of healthful lifestyle includes a person having a regular exercise routine, consuming nutritious foods, using tobacco products in moderation, limiting exposure to dangerous substances and minimizing the use of drugs and alcohol. A healthy and a balanced diet help in preventing many kinds of diseases, disability and mortality.
In today’s modern world, there are various causes of ill-health and disability and these include genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are among the major causes of poor health status. Smoking as well as drinking alcohol lead to ill health conditions. These are some of the major reasons for poor health status.
A healthy lifestyle consists of a balanced diet and exercise and mental and social stimulation. Mental stress results in mental disorders. Stress itself is a major cause of disease in today’s modern society. A balanced diet and a sound sleep assist in prevention of physical illness and disease. On the other hand, excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs is a major cause of mental disorder.
The concept of mental health refers to one’s capacity to live a productive life. Mental illnesses include depressive disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar affective disorder, anxiety, panic disorder and many other mental disorders. The concept of physical health refers to one’s ability to sustain bodily functions and sustain life. Most of the people around the world experience both kinds of health condition with varying degrees of severity.