CONCEPT OF HEALTH

INTRODUCTION

Historically, health and illness were viewed as extreme son
continuum, with the absence of clinically recognizable disease
being equated with presence of health. World Health Organization
(1974) defined health in terms of well-being and discouraged the
conceptualization of health as simply the absence of disease.
Recently W.H.O.modified the definition of health as "a dynamic
state of physical, mental, social spiritual wellbeing and not merely
absence of disease or infirmity."
W.W. Bauer defines health as 'a state of feeling well in body,
mind and spirit together with a sense of reserve power. It is based
on normal functioning of tissues and organs of the body, and
harmonious adjustment to the physical and psychological
environment together with an attitude which regards health is
not an end itself, but a means to a richer life as measured in
constructive service of mankind'. Thus, good health is based upon
the capacity of an individual physical, mental and emotional
strengths and takes into account what the individual does during

his life.