Health: redefined

Pan Afr Med J. 2018 Aug 24:30:292. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2018.30.292.15436. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

For many years the definition of 'health' has remained unchanged as a narrow concept, encompassing physical wellbeing from a medical context. This somewhat focused definition has attracted criticism from individuals and professional bodies alike. Recent attempts have been made to redefine health, each offering an alternative viewpoint from sociological, environmental, societal and economic standpoints. We summarize and contextualize these definitions and provide an alternative, new, all-encompassing definition of health.

Keywords: Health promotion; health economics; social well-being.

MeSH terms

  • Health Status*
  • Health*
  • Humans
  • Terminology as Topic*