Health

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Definition of Health

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Definition of Health

Health is a term that refers to a combination of the absence of illness, the ability to cope with everyday activities, physical fitness, and high quality of life. The most widely accepted definition is that of the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO states that "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1946). Health also includes the ability to lead a socially and economically productive life. Health is to a certain extent a matter of cleanliness, proper diet, and exercise but it can mean more than that. Health is also the conscious and subconscious recognition of the well-being that comes from doing what a person can, with what they have got, where they are. The absence of fulfilling such duty causes anxiety and doubt which weakens the mind, body, and spirit and opens the door to diseases and morbidity. Perhaps perfect health does not guarantee that people will live for a 100 years, nor will it protect them from accidents, but the measure of life is to be found in its quality. A keen interest in the high quality and purpose of one's life provides the best chance for well-being, happiness, and longevity and brings us closer to fulfilling a healthy lifestyle.

Health can be improved by individual effort. Physical fitness, weight and diet control, stress management, and stopping smoking, and other substance abuse are examples of steps to improve one's health. For an individual to maintain homeostasis, one must live his or her life with a clear definition of what health means to them.

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It has long been acknowledged that there are certain prerequisites for health that include peace, adequate economic resources, food and shelter, clean water, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resource use, and access to basic human rights. The challenge to meet these fundamental needs must remain a core goal for all action directed towards health, social, and economic development. Recognition of these prerequisites highlights the links between social and economic conditions, structural changes, the physical environment, individual lifestyles, and health. These links provide the key to a holistic understanding of health, and are meaningful to people's lives as they experience them.

Health-Promoting Behaviors

Health promotion strategies are not limited to a specific health problem, or to a specific set of behaviors. Health promotion efforts put into education, community development, policy, legislation, and regulation are all equally valid for prevention of communicable diseases, injury and violence, and mental problems.

There are many behaviors that I exhibit that I view as health-promoting. I was diagnosed with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus when I was just 12 years old. I immediately became interested in obtaining a complete understanding of the disease process and management. I have been an active member of the American Diabetes Association since I was 18 years old. I currently volunteer my time as a diabetes educator at a local summer camp for children with Diabetes. My duties include educating children with diabetes, the newly diagnosed as well as caregivers, on effective

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diabetes management which includes: diet, exercise, medication management, and compliance. There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease (ADA, 2006). The statistics prove that there is a major need for national diabetes education. I believe that if I can make a positive change in one child's, or caregivers, lifestyle, then ultimately they could do the same for someone else.

I currently volunteer my time as a school nurse at my nine year-olds catholic elementary school. My duties include caring for the sick children but also educating the faculty and students on health promoting behaviors. Once a year, I give a presentation to the upper school, fifth through eighth grades, on peer pressure. The presentation includes strategies for students to avoid the everyday pressures put forth by students about smoking, drinking, and sex. I have received only positive feedback from teachers, parents, and students. Educating students, early in life, will help them develop and implement their own strategies to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Detrimental Health Behaviors

One major health behavior that I view as detrimental to my health is ineffective stress management. Trying to manage my time with school, work, and family has increased the stress