The Importance of Promoting Health and Well-Being

Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “the state of total health and not just the absence of illness and disease”. There are various definitions used over the years for various purposes. One definition, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems, classifies health as “the quality of life attained under the circumstances defined by appropriate standards of health” and it is achieved through “safe and effective methods”. Another important definition is the National Health Service (NHS) definition, which states that health is a “long-term process, requiring commitment, discipline, and care from individuals, communities and other organizations.” It is a state of adequate knowledge, skill, and resources which provides for the optimum management and use of resources to meet the needs of the individual and to promote health, especially through primary health care.

In order to promote health, a variety of changes in people’s daily life are necessary, such as promoting good nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, quitting smoking and drinking, maintaining a good level of mental health, and including proper medical diagnosis and treatment. The primary focus of public health is to prevent diseases and illnesses by curbing the spread of diseases through prevention, early detection, and treatment. Community health programs are set up to address these issues and to promote better health through community based services. These services include providing information about disease prevention, tracking and reducing the risks of common diseases, improving public awareness about health and its causes and risks, conducting immunization programs, disseminating risk and protective information, and providing treatment.

While all these activities aim at promoting overall health, they also go hand in hand with each other. For example, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of health care systems and ensuring that services deliver value for the money are key components of an effective health care system. Public education is also important when it comes to promoting a healthy lifestyle and living. This can include encouraging the general population to consume healthy foods and to exercise regularly, promoting physical activity and working on ways to make the public school system a better place to be.