Let us build a healthy society
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Well organized preventive and curative health services, good social and economic
backgrounds and a clean environment are essential for having a healthy society.
while it is important that people should be free from disease and deformity their
physical, mental and social well-being are equally important.
In our previous lessons, we learnt how to improve and maintain our health.
Now it is time for us to go further and study what is meant by 'total health' and the
factors that influence it. We will also learn about identifying suitable life styles
to maintain total health, challenges to currend health conditions and ways of
overcoming them. This knowledge will help us build a healthy society.
Concept of total health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
Total health is not only being free from diseases and disabilities, but also having
physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being.
Thus, 'total health' does not merely mean being free from diseases and disabilities.
The factors influencing total health.
Total health depends on many factors. By engaging in physical educational activites
one can develop all four constituents of total health, namely, physical, mentel, social
and spiritual well-being. By engasing in exercises and sports one can improve the
health as well as the efficienacy of various systems in the body. Similarly, engaging
in team sports help in the improvement of the mental, social and spiritual aspect, of
one's personality.
Although one can change his or her behaviour and certain elements in his/her
physical environment, factors such as health services and effects of urbanization
depend on the national policies of the local or central government. We have a
1
, responsibility and a duty to change national policies according to the prevailing
needs of the society.
Diagram 1.1 - Factors influencing health
Health Services
Genetic composition
e.g: Improving conditions in
hospitals, training & recruitment e.g: Minimum
of doctors & other health officers, Good Health genes which increase
improvement of maternity and child the risk of getting
health services & other special health diseases
services
Physical Environment Social & economic Person’s behavioural patterns
background
e.g: Good climate,
clean water, clean air, well e.g: A sound economic
planned urbanization, waste condition and educational standard,
management. avoiding alcohol & drugs, good
interpersonal relationships, being free
from stress.
Suitable life style to maintain total health
Our behaviour and life style has a great influence on our health. A few important
life styles that will help to achieve total health are given below:
1. Good eating habits
2. Active life style and exercise
3. Maintaining an appropriate BMI
4. Adequate sleep and rest
5. Leading a simple life style
6. Stress management
7. Avoiding alcohol, drugs and smoking
8. Following accepted rules and regulations.
Good eating habits, an active life style and exercise help to maintain the BMI
within a healthy range. This helps to improve one's physical and mental fitness as
well as to reduce one's vulnerability to non-communicable diseases.
2
1
Well organized preventive and curative health services, good social and economic
backgrounds and a clean environment are essential for having a healthy society.
while it is important that people should be free from disease and deformity their
physical, mental and social well-being are equally important.
In our previous lessons, we learnt how to improve and maintain our health.
Now it is time for us to go further and study what is meant by 'total health' and the
factors that influence it. We will also learn about identifying suitable life styles
to maintain total health, challenges to currend health conditions and ways of
overcoming them. This knowledge will help us build a healthy society.
Concept of total health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
Total health is not only being free from diseases and disabilities, but also having
physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being.
Thus, 'total health' does not merely mean being free from diseases and disabilities.
The factors influencing total health.
Total health depends on many factors. By engaging in physical educational activites
one can develop all four constituents of total health, namely, physical, mentel, social
and spiritual well-being. By engasing in exercises and sports one can improve the
health as well as the efficienacy of various systems in the body. Similarly, engaging
in team sports help in the improvement of the mental, social and spiritual aspect, of
one's personality.
Although one can change his or her behaviour and certain elements in his/her
physical environment, factors such as health services and effects of urbanization
depend on the national policies of the local or central government. We have a
1
, responsibility and a duty to change national policies according to the prevailing
needs of the society.
Diagram 1.1 - Factors influencing health
Health Services
Genetic composition
e.g: Improving conditions in
hospitals, training & recruitment e.g: Minimum
of doctors & other health officers, Good Health genes which increase
improvement of maternity and child the risk of getting
health services & other special health diseases
services
Physical Environment Social & economic Person’s behavioural patterns
background
e.g: Good climate,
clean water, clean air, well e.g: A sound economic
planned urbanization, waste condition and educational standard,
management. avoiding alcohol & drugs, good
interpersonal relationships, being free
from stress.
Suitable life style to maintain total health
Our behaviour and life style has a great influence on our health. A few important
life styles that will help to achieve total health are given below:
1. Good eating habits
2. Active life style and exercise
3. Maintaining an appropriate BMI
4. Adequate sleep and rest
5. Leading a simple life style
6. Stress management
7. Avoiding alcohol, drugs and smoking
8. Following accepted rules and regulations.
Good eating habits, an active life style and exercise help to maintain the BMI
within a healthy range. This helps to improve one's physical and mental fitness as
well as to reduce one's vulnerability to non-communicable diseases.
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