Understanding the Sociology of Health

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Health can be defined in three different ways; negatively, positively and holistically as well as contextually, that will differ from person to person. The English word for health is derived from the old English word ‘hale’ meaning “Wholeness and wellness”, in this essay I will be exploring the different definitions, views and models of health.

The World Health organization defines health as “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Firstly the negative definition equates to the lack of any disease or body abnormalities, or an pessimistic outlook due to illness, disease (both physical and mental) or injury. Examples of this would be a soldier who lost any number of limbs refusing rehabilitation and prosthetic limbs fundamentally giving up to a person within a family where a mental illness is heredity and still consuming copious amount alcohol and narcotics. The world health organisation’s 1948 definition of health could be considered negative as it does not take into consideration people who are disabled, not physically whole but overcome that and have a positive view of their health.

Secondly a positive definition of health can be described as “The achievement and maintenance of physical fitness and mental stability” and unlike the negative definition it includes the people who are not physically complete but are still physically fit such as paralympian’s whose disabilities do not prevent them from having an optimistic view of life. People with this view of health will actively take steps to maintain and better their health through conscious choices such as food, exercise and activities that they consider aid in keeping them well.

Thirdly ...

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...g Health Habits - Obesity . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/700798/98368/spiritual-health/. [Accessed 11 February 2014].

Socially excluded youth | Youth Participation in Development . 2014. Socially excluded youth | Youth Participation in Development . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ygproject.org/guide/part-one/why-work-youth/socially-excluded-youth. [Accessed 13 February 2014].

Improving Emotional Health: Strategies and Tips for Good Mental Health. 2014. Improving Emotional Health: Strategies and Tips for Good Mental Health. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/mental_emotional_health.htm. [Accessed 13 February 2014].

Anne-Marie Barry, 2008. Understanding the Sociology of Health: An Introduction. 2nd Edition. Sage Publications Ltd.

http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/consumer/keeping-the-heat-and-lights-on.pdf

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