Health Promotion – What Does Health Mean To Individuals?

Resource Description

• Definition of Health 

Health – A state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. 

• Dimensions of Health 

Physical – refers to the wellness of our physical body, not having chronic pain or                                                       discomfort. 

Social – to interact with people in an independent and cooperative way.

Mental – a state of wellbeing emotionally. The individual’s ability to cope with everyday stress and have control over their own lives. 

Spiritual – good spiritual health means we feel a sense of purpose or have meaning in our life. It helps us to feel connected to other people, ourselves and the environment. 

• Relative and Dynamic Nature of Health 

Relative – The relative nature of health refers to the use of others to compare the health status of a particular person.

Dynamic – The dynamic nature of health refers to the fact that the health status of anyone is continually changing and can change dramatically with little notice.

 

• Health is the result of a continually changing process. 
• The relative nature of health refers to how we judge our health compared to other people or other points in our life
• The dynamic nature of health refers to the constant changes that occur in our level of health. 

 

What Does Health Mean To Individuals?

PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH 

• Personal Perceptions of Health 

 

• Personal interpretation

            of health 

• Environment 
• Beliefs about our

            capacity to achieve

            good health

• Our behaviours and 

            lifestyle 

• Our past level of health 
• Attitudes about health

            conveyed by peers,

            family and the media

• The value we place on

            the importance of being

            healthy. 

• Changes in the Meaning of Health During our Life
• Childhood (birth-11) = Generally taken for granted. 
• Early Adolescence (12-16) = health seen as important to establish and maintain positive body image. 
• Late adolescence (17-24) = majority enjoy good health and realise the benefits of promoting behaviours
• Early adulthood (25-39) = seen as a resource, realise the value of having all dimensions of health in balance. 
• Late adulthood (40-59) = preventive health behaviours and screening process become necessary as age increase. 
• Senior years (60 +) = good health seen as a precious resource.