The Positive Concept of Health Promotion

Health is an abstract state of mental, physical and emotional well being in which infirmity and illness are absent. It implies the absence of disease, death and disability, and implies the absence of infirmity or disability, and suggests the possibility for recovery. Health is an inevitable state, for it cannot be otherwise. If it were otherwise, there would be no health; therefore it cannot be considered as the possession of any person, being the possession of one person at any time by another. It is the welfare of all to maintain their health, which is an essential element of social life. That is why it becomes imperative that one makes healthy use of health, for it is the base of all human progress and flourishing.

The National Health Service (NHS) has been working on health issues since 1948. It is now the largest provider of health care in the United Kingdom, handling a vast range of patient care and health services, including medical, nursing, psychosocial and public health. It also coordinates health service provision with the voluntary and medical sectors and works towards improving the quality and practice of health care.

Wellness is a concept that refers to the improvement of one’s well-being. It includes aspects such as physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. It also involves the reduction of the risk of sickness, injury, disease and premature death. By making changes in daily life, individuals can improve their health and reduce their risks for many serious diseases and illnesses. This is further improved when these changes are maintained over a long term basis.

The illness is a medical condition, where a body part suffers from damage. These damages can be caused by physical or non-physical factors. Non-communicable diseases include common childhood diseases; pregnancy, birth and infant infections; rheumatoid arthritis, cancer; gastrointestinal tract disorders; cardiovascular and respiratory diseases; and infectious diseases such as AIDS, filleting or cholera. On the other hand, communicable diseases include flu and virus-based diseases. These include AIDS, hepatitis B and HIV, SARS and bird flu. Therefore, well being can refer to the control and prevention of non-communicable diseases, as well as the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

In addition, health promotion focuses on treating and preventing diseases. This is done by focusing on physical well-being, mental health, dietary habits, substance abuse and safety, and environmental health. Health promotion is a positive concept, because it encourages people to lead a healthy lifestyle, leading to less disease and illness. This concept is integrated in all aspects of healthcare from prevention to healing.

Prevention of diseases is better than treatment. Since prevention takes away the cause, treatment only relieves symptoms, leaving the person to continue living a normal and well-balanced lifestyle. As prevention of diseases is possible through proper nutrition and stress management, individuals can feel safe and worry-free when sickness strikes. This attitude can promote healthy lifestyles, leading to less illness and disability.