Health – The overall condition of the body or mind and the presence or absence of illness or injury. Wellness – The achievement of the highest health possible.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Health – The overall condition of the body or mind and the presence or absence of illness or injury.

Wellness – The achievement of the highest health possible in physical, social, intellectual, emotional, environmental, and spiritual dimensions.

High-Level Wellness for Man and Society Halbert L. Dunn M.D., Ph.D., F.A.P.H.A. 1959

“wellness is not just a single amorphous condition, but rather that it is a complex state made up of overlapping levels of wellness.”

“..the state of being well….is rather a fascinating and ever changing panorama of life itself, inviting exploration of its every dimension.”

“..development of a new major axis of interest directed toward positive health..”

High-Level Wellness for Man and Society Halbert L. Dunn M.D., Ph.D., F.A.P.H.A.…we can no longer ignore the spirit of man as a factor in our medical and health disciplines..”

..the spirit being that intangible something that transcends physiology and psychology.”

“Harmony will result when the fact that man is a physical, mental, and spiritual unity-a unity which is constantly undergoing a process of growth and adjustment within the continually changing physical, biological, social, and cultural environment.”

“For no person can be well physically if he is sick spiritually.”

High-Level Wellness for Man and Society Halbert L. Dunn M.D., Ph.D., F.A.P.H.A.“Although psychiatrist have done much to relieve the twisted minds of the mentally ill, little has been undertaken to help ordinary people, classified as “well,” to know themselves and thus become better balanced and able to meet their daily problems more adequately. How much of the demand for sleeping pills, alcohol, and tranquilizers is due to this deep-felt need? …we shall find that a substantial amount of creative expression, altruism, and love in daily life is essential for approach to a high state of well being.”

Figure 1.1

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DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS

Awareness

Assessment

Knowledge

Skills and Management Techniques

Motivation

Support

Self-Responsibility

Growth in Wellness

Wellness/Illness Continuum

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FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE HEALTH STATUS

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Figure 1.3

Individual Genetic make-up Sex Age 

Physical Environment Water Sanitation Air pollution

Employment and

working traditions

Healthy Behaviors and coping skills

Healthy ChildDevelopment

Access to Health Services

Social Environment Socio-economic status Education Social capital Culture Gender norms 

Key Determinants of HealthGovernance, Policies and Interventions

RISK FACTORSRisk Factor – “an exposure or characteristic that increases the likelihood of developing a particular disease” Aspect of personal behavior Environmental exposure Inborn or inherited characteristic Epidemiologic evidenceStatistically significant associationCausal factor- did exposure cause diseaseCausation a result of logical thinking and good stats Unmodifiable Risk FactorBehavioral Modifiable Etiology-cause of particular disease not always possible Multifactorial-diseases with many different causes and multiple risk factors “A risk factor is said to be a necessary part of the disease pathway if it must be present for a person to develop a disease. A risk factor is sufficient if that exposure or characteristic by itself can cause the disease 

Primary prevention – when modifiable risk factors present, goal is to prevent disease from occurring

Secondary prevention – diagnose disease at early stage and treat is easier.

Tertiary prevention – reduce complications in order to prevent death or minimize disability.

PREVENTIONS