INTRODUCTION

Health is the level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a

living organism. In humans it is the ability of individuals or
communities to adapt and self-manage when facing physical,
mental, psychological and social changes with environment.

Health is a fundamental human right. The attainment of highest

possible level of health is the most important world wide social
goal. Each person defines health in terms of ones own values and
beliefs. The persons family, culture, community, and society also
influence this personal perception of health.
Health is a state of complete
physical, mental and social well
being and not merely the absence
of disease or infirmity. WHOs
191 member states have
endorsed this statement.
CONCEPT OF HEALTH
 CONCEPT OF HEALTH
The concept of health as defined by WHO is broad and
positive in its implications; it sets out the standard, the
standard of positive health. The health of the public
is measured globally by morbidity, how frequently a
disease occurs, and mortality, the numbers of deaths
resulting from a disease
 Health is not perceived the same way by all the
members of a community including various
professional groups (like biomedical scientists, social
scientists, health administrators, ecologists) giving rise
to confusion about the concept of health
 CHANGING CONCEPTS OF HEALTH

Health is perceived in different ways giving rise to various

concepts of health. Health has evolved over the centuries
as a concept from an individual concern to a worldwide
social goal.
Biomedical Concept
Ecological Concept
Psychosocial Concept
Holistic Concept
 BIOMEDICAL CONCEPT
Traditionally, health has been viewed as an absence of disease,
and if one was free from disease, then the person was considered
healthy.
The medical profession viewed the human body as a machine,
disease as a consequence of the breakdown of the machine and
one of the doctors task as repair of the machine.
This concept has the basis in the germ theory of disease.
 ECOLOGICAL CONCEPT
Ecologists viewed health as a dynamic equilibrium between man and
his environment. Disease a maladjustment of the human organism
to environment.
According to Dubos Health implies the relative absence of pain
and discomfort and a continuous adaptation and adjustment to
the environment to ensure optimal function.
The ecological concept raises two issues, viz. imperfect man and
imperfect environment.
 PSYCHOSOCIAL CONCEPT
According to psychosocial concept health is not only
biomedical phenomenon, but is influenced by social,
psychological, cultural, economic and political factors of
the people concerned.
 HOLISTIC CONCEPT
This concept is the synthesis of all the above concepts.
It recognizes the strength of social, economic, political and
environmental influences on health.
It has been variously described as multidimensional process
involving the wellbeing of the person as a whole
The emphasis is on the promotion and protection of health.
 Social economic

Health
Health Health protection
promotion

Environmental
Political

Holistic concept
Introduction
Concept of Health :
Health illness continuum
Factors influencing health
Causes and risk factors for Developing illness.
Body defenses: Immunity and
immunization
Illness and illness Behavior
Impact of illness on patient and family
Health care services:
Health Promotion and Prevention,
Primary care , Diagnosis, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Continuing care
Health care teams
Types of health care agencies:
Hospitals: Types, Organization and Functions
Heath Promotion and levels of disease Prevention
Primary health care and its delivery: role of Nurse
DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH
 DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH

Health integrates all the human dimensions the

physical, intellectual, emotional, sociocultural,
spiritual and environmental aspects of the whole
person. The nurse giving holistic nursing care
must equally consider all these interrelated
dimensions of the whole person.
 PHYSICAL DIMENSION

It means adequate
Body weight
Height
Acceptable level of vision
Hearing, locomotion or movements
Acceptable levels of pulse rate
Blood pressure
Respiratory rate
 MENTAL DIMENSION

Ability to respond to many varied experiences of

life with flexibility and a sense of purpose.
Mental health has been defined as a state of
balance between the individual and the
surrounding world, a state of harmony between
oneself and others
 SOCIAL DIMENSION

It means ability of a person to adjust with

others in his social life, at home, at work
place and with people.
 SPIRITUAL DIMENSION
Due to stresses and strains of modern life, it is very
important for us to consider this dimension of health
as well
An individual has to be at peace with himself,
before he can be at peace with world.
Attention to moral values, ethics, exercise and
meditation are some of the ways of attaining
spiritual health.
 EMOTIONAL DIMENSION

Relates to feeling. it reflects emotional aspects of

humanness.
It is ability to recognize the emotional i.e. fear, joy,
grief and anger and practice such emotions
appropriately.
It also deals with coping stress, tension, depression
and anxiety.
 VOCATIONAL DIMENSION

Work often plays a role in promoting both physical and

mental health.
Physical work is usually associated with an improvement in
physical capacity, while goal achievement and self-realization
in work are a source of contentment and enhanced self-
esteem.
SPECTRUM OF HEALTH

Positive health
Better health

Freedom from sickness

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Biological
Behavioral &
Other sociocultural condition
factor

Gender Health Environment

Aging Socioeconomic

Health services
 BIOLOGICAL
DETERMINANTS

Physical and mental traits of every human being are to

some extent determined by the nature of his genes at
the moment of conception.
 ENVIRONMENT

Environment has a direct impact on the physical, mental and

social wellbeing of those living in it.
Environmental factors range from housing, water supply,
psychosocial stress and family structure
 Behavioral and Sociocultural
Conditions

Health requires promotion of healthy lifestyle. Modern health problems

especially in the developed countries and in developing countries are
mainly due to changes in lifestyles.

Healthy lifestyle includes adequate nutrition, enough sleep,

sufficient physical activity etc.
 Socioeconomic Conditions

Economic status: Economic situation in a country is an

important factor in morbidity, increasing life expectancy and
improving quality of life, family size and pattern of disease
Education: Illiteracy correlates with poverty, malnutrition, ill
health, high infant and child mortality rates.
Occupation: Productive work provides satisfaction,
promotes health and improves quality of life.
 HEALTH SERVICES

To be effective, the health services must reach the masses,

equitably distributed, accessible at a cost the country and
community can afford and social acceptable.
Aging of the Population
A major concern of rapidly aging population is increased prevalence
of chronic diseases and disabilities that deserve special attention.
Gender
Womens health is gaining importance in areas such as nutrition,
health consequences of violence, aging, lifestyle related conditions
and the occupational environment.
 FACTORS INFLUENCING
HEALTH
1) Heredity
2) Environment
3) Life-style
4) Socio - economic conditions
5) Health services
6) Personal Essence
7) Social
8) External
9)Treatments
 HEREDITY

Genes determine the health of an individual from the

moment of conception. The genetic makeup cannot be
altered. Some diseases like diabetes and mental retardation
have genetic origin. So the health of an individual depends
on his genetic constitution.
 ENVIRONMENT

Diseases are caused by changes in environment like air,

water, climate etc. Environment has a direct influence on the
physical, mental and social wellbeing of an individual.
 LIFE - STYLE

It means 'the way people live'. It includes culture, behaviour

and also habits like smoking and alcoholism. A number of
diseases like heart diseases, cancer and diabetes are related
to life - style. Good life - style like good food, sleep and
exercise promotes better health.
 SOCIO - ECONOMIC STATUS

They include income, education, nutrition, employment and

housing.
 HEALTH SERVICES:

The aim of health and family welfare services is to treat

diseases, prevent illness and promotion of health. Health
services like safe water supply and immunisation prevent a
variety of diseases.
 OTHER HEALTH RELATED SYSTEMS

They include agriculture, education, industry and rural

development. They have an impact on health by raising the
standards of living.
 PERSONAL ESSENCE

It relates to your beliefs and expectations, your sense of

purpose and desires. It becomes the lens through which you
perceive life. When your personal essence is strong and in
harmony with your desires, there is health.
 EXTERNAL

External factors are increasing all the time. It relates to any accidents,
injuries or traumas that you have incurred. It looks at your exposure to
electromagnetic frequencies through the use of cell phones, computers,
wireless networks and your work environment.
 TREATMENT

Treatments relate to any dental work, surgeries and cosmetic treatments that
you have had. It examines your approach to acute illnesses and your history
of antibiotic and steroid use. It examines any medications, drugs,
supplements that you are taking.