The Definition of Health

In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (World Health Organization, 1948). As the largest international health organization, the WHO’s definition became the standard in the medical world. Despite advancements in healthcare over the years, this definition has remained unchanged (Krahn, 2021).

This definition has faced considerable criticism in the modern medical field, mainly due to its use of the term "complete." The implication that health requires a state of total physical, mental, and social well-being suggests that health conditions are stagnant rather than constantly changing (Huber, 2011). This perspective overlooks the fact that well-being fluctuates over time and that individuals often face challenges in different areas of health (Huber, 2011). It is rare for people to maintain prime physical, mental, and social well-being simultaneously. As such, the WHO’s definition sets an unrealistic and unattainable standard. Presently, there is an understanding that encountering difficulties in one of the three listed well-being does not imply overall poor health.

To understand why WHO’s definition of health might be outdated, it is essential to reflect on the state of health in the 1940s. At that time, diseases like polio, smallpox, measles, and tuberculosis were common and often untreatable. The primary focus of healthcare was on combating these illnesses and preventing the mortality rates from increasing (Huber, 2011). However, with medical progress over the years, many of these life-threatening diseases were either eradicated or became less life-threatening when treated appropriately. The development of antibiotics and community vaccination programs significantly reduced the spread and severity of the diseases.

Chronic diseases that were once deemed to be life-threatening are now manageable due to years of research to create better management and treatment options (Krahn, 2021). Conditions such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension, which were once considered life-limiting, can now be effectively managed with appropriate medical care and lifestyle adjustments (Krahn, 2021).  Patient education has become a vital part of treatment management as well.  When patients are amenable to working alongside their healthcare providers, individuals can live long, fulfilling lives even with a disease diagnosis. Modern healthcare emphasizes not only the treatment of diseases but also the maintenance of quality of life and the ability to adapt to health challenges.

More recently, Machteld Huber redefined health as “the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical and emotional challenges.” (Huber, 2011). In contrast to the WHO’s definition, Huber views health as a dynamic condition, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability in responding to life’s diverse challenges.

Although the WHO’s 1948 definition of health established an important benchmark appropriate at the time, its relevance in modern medicine is limited. Today, scientists and healthcare providers argue that the dated definition sets unrealistic expectations and understates the adaptable nature of health (Krahn, 2021). Modern views highlight that individuals can lead fulfilling lives while managing chronic illnesses, prioritizing resilience and adaptability over the unrealistic goal of "complete" or perfect well-being.

References:

1.        Huber, M. (2011). HEALTH: HOW SHOULD WE DEFINE IT? BMJ: British Medical Journal, 343(7817), 235–237. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23051314

2.        Krahn, G.L et al. (2021). It’s time to reconsider how we define health: Perspective from disability and chronic condition. Disability and Health Journal, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101129

3.        World Health Organization. (1948). Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution