Understanding Health Determinants and Well-being in the Modern Era

This report provides an overview of health and well-being in the modern world, emphasizing that health is a state of complete social, emotional, and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease. It highlights the importance of lifestyle modifications, cleanliness, and social interaction for maintaining good health. The report delves into the Dahlgren-Whitehead model, which examines the causal relationships between individuals, their environment, and various diseases, considering genetic, behavioral, social, and economic factors. It concludes that health is crucial for overall well-being, influencing people's lifestyles and contributing to social and economic development by enhancing human productivity. Effective communication, healthy living, and proactive health management are emphasized as key components of a fulfilling and risk-free life, promoting longevity and the ability to thrive.

Being healthy in a modern world

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
The Dahlgren-Whitehead model of determinants of health...................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................4
Online.....................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Health is defined as a state of complete social, emotional and physical well being,
according to WHO. Health is not just the absence of diseases but the broad definition of health
involves both mental and physical well being. A condition of optimal well being of the body and
the mind is the accurate definition of health. Health is also the ability of the body to function
well. Health is a primary thing that gives the energy to perform daily tasks (Stanhope and
Lancaster, 2021). Good health can help maintain an active and fresh lifestyle while a bad health
can reduce the longevity of life. Health is not just about remaining disease free but also to reduce
the risk of contracting any illness. The value of health is much more than any materialistic wealth
that a person can possess. A person can enjoy life to the fullest and can solve life problems with
ease and comfort. To ensure healthy lifestyle, one must make lifestyle modifications such a
changes in diet, exercising etc. It is also necessary to ensure cleanliness in the surroundings
which can avoid the risk of contracting communicable disease (Leonardi, 2018). A socially
healthy individual is able to interact effectively and can help achieve higher targets. Additional
aspects of health include completing 7 hours of sleep, proper shelter conditions and good hygiene
habits. Body, mind, work, finances, community, emotions and environment are some aspects of
over well-being. Addressing these dimensions gives a holistic sense of well-being and
togetherness. Leading a healthy lifestyle helps combat stress, boosts your immune system and
reduces pain. Good health can be a determinant of how happy a person can be.
MAIN BODY
The Dahlgren-Whitehead model of determinants of health
The Dahlgren-whitehead model determines the causal relationship between individual,
environment and different diseases. Some genes can act as a risk factor for diseases and
sometimes even cause the disease to disappear in a particular progeny (Pean and et. al., 2019).
Mostly diseases occur as a result of interaction between the environment and the genes that are
inherited from the family. The behavioural and psychological ability of humans such as
intellectual ability, personality and risk for mental illness (Stucki, 2020). Genetic mutations or
changes in the genetic makeup can lead to prevention and resistance to a disease. The variety of
genetic factors strengthen the ability of the species to resist change to climate changes. Impact of
lifestyle and several behavioural factors is very crucial as they determine the present health status
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of an individual. Unhealthy diet, not getting enough exercise, smoking, consumption of tobacco
are some habits that can cause problems such as metabolic disorders, joint and skeletal diseases,
cardio-vascular diseases such as hypertension etc. Problems associated with obesity are also
count as a part of unhealthy lifestyle. Recreational drug problems and stress can also contribute
to degrading health. Maintaining a good lifestyle and carrying out activities that are good for
your mental health can boost self-esteem and can help gain confidence (Kang, 2022). Social
conditions such as the conditions in which a person is born in, the nature of their family and the
system shaping conditions of life determine the health of the individual in a social setting. These
factors can help build the intellectual and communicating ability of the individual. These factors
affects the ability of a person to make healthy choices which can determine the overall well-
being. Creating positive and healthy interpersonal relationships makes people feel emotionally
health and supported (Dahlgren and Whitehead, 2021). With less social networks and chronic
loneliness one can experience raised stress hormone and poor cardiovascular health and immune
system. Community networks can help provide day-today companionship and also help build the
ability to adapt to life related stress. Humans are social beings and it is necessary for them to
interact as being sedentary can cause mental distress and disrupt sleeping patterns (Weight stigma
and related social factors in psychological care, 2018). Besides, smoking and consumption of
alcohol are expensive habits and avoiding them can also help an individual save money.
Environmental factors such as air pollution, smoking, flame smoke, nanomaterials, perforated
chemicals etc. that are present can cause problems such as asthma, cancer and sometimes even
Parkinson's disease. These factors have the ability to alter the functioning of genes and
sometimes even cause mutations in the genetic material of the person making the person more
susceptible to developing illness (Lindley and et. al., 2021). Different socio-economic factors
such as income, social status, job opportunity, affordable medical care can determine the quality
of life a person is leading and indirectly their physical health. Poverty and poor education can
hugely impact socio-economic status and can impact overall well-being.
CONCLUSION
According to the above study, it can be concluded that health is an important aspect of
overall well-being and can determine the functioning and lifestyle of people. It also contributes
to social and economic development of the nation by increasing human productivity and is not
just the absence of diseases. Similarly, effective communication within a group or community
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can provide a means to emotionally express oneself and also brings about motivation along with
effective circulation of appropriate information. Healthy livings also promotes good mental
health and can also uplift the mood. Practising healthy habits such as taking care of oneself and
keeping a track of cholesterol and blood pressure can help an individual remain free from chronic
conditions such as stroke and heart diseases. Following healthy habits increases the longevity of
life and also makes people risk free. There are better chances of working better and excelling in
life with a good health whereas bad health decreases the overall life span and can also cannot
embrace the beauty of nature. Health is not just an object of living but an everyday resource that
needs to be conserved.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Leonardi, F., 2018. The definition of health: towards new perspectives. International Journal of
Health Services, 48(4), pp.735-748.
Stucki, G., Rubinelli, S. and Bickenbach, J., 2020. We need an operationalisation, not a
definition of health. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(3), pp.442-444.
Kang, D.S., 2022. Health equities: social determinants of migrant health (Doctoral dissertation).
Dahlgren, G. and Whitehead, M., 2021. The Dahlgren-Whitehead model of health determinants:
30 years on and still chasing rainbows. Public Health, 199, pp.20-24.
Lindley and et. al., 2021. Socioeconomic determinants of health and cardiovascular outcomes in
women: JACC review topic of the week. Journal of the American College of
Cardiology, 78(19), pp.1919-1929.
Pean and et. al., 2019. Direct-to-consumer advertising of stem cell clinics: ethical considerations
and recommendations for the health-care community. JBJS, 101(19), p.e103.
Stanhope, M. and Lancaster, J., 2021. Foundations for population health in community/public
health nursing-E-book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Online
Weight stigma and related social factors in psychological care, 2018 [Online] Available through:
<https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-20733-003>
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