What is health?Spec 5.1
Health is not just about being free from illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
| Part of health | What it means | Example of it going wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | The body is working properly and is free from disease | Having an infection such as tuberculosis |
| Mental | Being able to think clearly and cope with everyday life | Long-term anxiety or depression |
| Social | Having good relationships and a place in the community | Being isolated or lonely |
Someone can have no disease and still not be healthy by this definition. For example, a person who is physically fit but severely stressed and isolated is not in a state of complete well-being.