Theories of health and illness

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Theories of health and illness

Health is difficult to define and there are many different theories of health, in this assignment I will be trying to describe and explain these theories and the benefit of epidemiological studies in identifying illness.

So what is the definition of health, is it just the absence of illness and disease or living a healthy life style and being in a good state of mind. The world health organisation is formed by the members of the United Nations they believe that ''Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (and a socially and economically productive life)'' (WHO, constitution of the world health organisation, Geneva, 1946).

This definition is saying that it's not just the absence of disease or illness that is good health, but its being mentally healthy and socially comfortable as well. which I agree with, as leading a healthy life isn't just not getting ill, its being mentally well, happy, secure, stress free (most of the time) and living in a safe, sheltered and comfortable environment, also getting sleep, eating well, having access to medical and dental