Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “the condition of being fit and healthy, having a normal rate of living, and having the capacity to participate in community life.” A variety of other definitions have also been used over time. For example, “health” is often used to define the quality of life. An excellent health care system is necessary to provide optimal services in order to meet the standards of the international Community Health Assessment Guidelines for International Health Services.
According to WHO, mental health and physical health are interrelated, with the former reflecting aspects of life that affect the ability to work, cope with stress, experience happiness and successful adaptation to changes in circumstances and the latter, aspects of life that contribute to the prevention of disease, disability and death. The mental health profession is an expanding area, taking into account current concepts, research findings and practices, and clinical practice. It includes assessment, research, support, policy development and implementation, as well as service delivery.
There is a growing concern that people are becoming less healthy and that the quality of life is going down. The good health of society requires that we take care of ourselves and take care of those around us. There are many measures that can be taken to ensure that we are as healthy as we should be and are at a higher risk of getting diseases, infections and disorders if we are not living a healthy lifestyle. One of the main components of a healthy lifestyle is regular exercise and a good diet, reducing the intake of tobacco and alcohol and avoiding the exposure to environmental risks such as air pollution and radiation.