Personal, school and community health

Definition of Health

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of an individual and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmities. Health may be regarded as a balance of physical, mental and social aspect of life in a human being.

Aspects of Health

Health is generally classified under two aspects, namely, physical health and mental health.

(i) Physical health: This simply means a condition of overall well-being, that is, when the body is functioning as it was designed to function. Physical health is the freedom from diseases or abnormality and soundness of the body.

(ii) Mental Health: Mental health is a state of emotional and behavioural well being. It is all about how the individual thinks, feels and behaves. Having good mental health helps on lead a happy and healthy life.

Determinants of Health

There are four general determinants of health, namely:

1. Heredity
2. Environment
3. Life style
4. Health care services

Characteristics of a Healthy Person

The characteristics of a healthy person include the following:

1. Ability to work without easily fatigued
2. Ability to comprehend mental fatigue
3. Resistance to infection

Characteristics of a Physically Fit Person

The characteristics of a physically fit person are:

1. Freedom from diseases
2. Norma system and body function
3. Health of mind and emotion
4. Freedom from correctable physical defect

EVALUATION

1.  What is health?
2.  List and explain two aspects of health.
3.  What are the determinants of health?