Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It encompasses all aspects of a person’s life, including their physical health, mental health, and social well-being.
Healthy, on the other hand, is an adjective that describes a person, thing, or situation that promotes or is conducive to good health. For example, a healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, or a healthy environment can all contribute to overall health and well-being.
In general, being healthy means maintaining a balance in all aspects of life, including proper nutrition, exercise, sleep, social connections, and emotional well-being. It involves taking care of oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally to achieve a state of optimal health and well-being.
There are standards of health that are recognized and used globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that sets international health standards and promotes the attainment of the highest possible level of health for all people.
One of the most well-known health standards set by the WHO is the definition of health itself, which states that “health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
The WHO has also developed a range of other health standards, guidelines, and frameworks, such as:
- International Classification of Diseases (ICD): This is a system of diagnostic codes used to classify diseases and other health problems globally.
- International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): This is a classification system that describes the health and functioning of people in terms of their body, activities, and participation, as well as contextual factors such as environmental and personal factors.
- Global Strategy for Health for All by the Year 2000: This was a landmark strategy developed by the WHO in 1981, which aimed to achieve a state of health for all people by the year 2000 through the development of comprehensive primary health care services.
Overall, the WHO plays a key role in setting and promoting global health standards, and its work is recognized and used by health organizations, governments, and health professionals around the world.
