Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “the state of full physical, emotional and social well being and not just the absence of illness and infirmity.” Various definitions have also been applied to it over the years. Some even define it as the condition of living with well-being.

According to a definition from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, health is the ability to tolerate ordinary risks with tolerable exposure to risk. In other words, it is the capacity to handle change successfully and adapt to circumstances in an average way. A health care system is one that provides services to promote health. The definition further includes the management of the overall health by coordinating primary and secondary health care. The term “integrated health system” refers to a set of coordinated health care processes and environments, which involve prevention, screening, treatment and rehabilitation.

According to another definition, health is maintained through appropriate intake of physical activity and food and through self-care. According to yet another definition, health is the satisfaction of a person’s life expectancy at age x with the support of preventive measures. Thus, health is defined as the capacity to attain the highest level of attainable well-being. It is upon health that the goal of any public health policy is directed.