A Sociological Definition of Health and Illness

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Definition of Health and Illness.

This essay will begin by discussing the different definitions of health and illness and will also discuss and enable the individual to understand why there are many diffrent definitions of health. It will give a clear defintion and evaluate views of health and illness in different societies.

According to the World Health Organisation "health is a complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity"

(Taylor et al, 1995)

Definitions of health and illness vary, they cannot be defined in terms of anatomical, physiological or even mental attributes. Health is defined as the ability for the individual to function in a way which is acceptable to the group from which they belong.

(Davey et al, 1984)

The dictionary defines the word health as: "the condition of the body and the degree to which it is free from illness, or the state of being well"

(www.cambridge.org.uk accessed 28/1/07)

Good health is a mixture of physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

Health and illness can be defined in many different ways, the holistic concept of health would be viewed as