HHD UNIT 3: AOS 1 UNDERSTA
concepts of health and wellbeing
Health: a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing & not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity. (WHO, 1946)
Wellbeing: a complex combination of all dimensions of health, characterised by an
equilibrium, in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.
Health and wellbeing: a state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental &
spiritual existence, characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels
happy, healthy, capable & engaged.
Physical health and wellbeing: the functioning of the body & its systems,
including the capacity to perform daily activities & tasks. Includes healthy body
weight, & freedom from disease & illness.
Social health and wellbeing: the ability to form meaningful & satisfying
relationships with others, & the ability to manage/adapt appropriately to different
social situations. Includes a supportive network of friends & effective
communication with others.
Mental health and wellbeing: the current state of wellbeing of a person’s mind or
brain & relates to the ability to think and process information. Includes low levels
of stress & anxiety, & positive self-esteem
Emotional health and wellbeing: the ability to recognise, understand, &
effectively manage and express emotions and feelings in a positive way, & being
able to display resilience in everyday life. Includes recognising & understanding a
range of emotions.
Spiritual health and wellbeing: the values, ideas, beliefs, & ethics that arise in the
minds and consciences of human beings. Includes a sense of belonging &
positive meaning and purpose in life.
Disease: a physical or mental disturbance involving symptoms, dysfunctions, or
tissue damage
Dynamic: continually changing
Illness: a subjective concept related to personal experiences of a disease or injury.
Subjective: influenced by or based on personal beliefs, feelings or opinions
Optimal health & Wellbeing: the highest level of health & wellbeing an individual can
realistically attain at any particular time, taking into account genetics & the different
environments in which people live.
behavioural contributions
Smoking: substance is burned, resulting in smoke inhaled & absorbed into the
bloodstream Risk factors for conditions such as:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Cancers (incl. lung, mouth & stomach),
Respiratory conditions (e.g., emphysema & asthma)
Low birth weight babies (below 2.5kg)
Back pain & problems
Infectious diseases (e.g., pneumonia)
Alcohol: excessive consumption incl. alcoholism & binge-drinking. Risk factor for
contributions such as:
Overweight & Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Cancers Liver disease (incl. cirrhosis)
concepts of health and wellbeing
Health: a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing & not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity. (WHO, 1946)
Wellbeing: a complex combination of all dimensions of health, characterised by an
equilibrium, in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.
Health and wellbeing: a state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental &
spiritual existence, characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels
happy, healthy, capable & engaged.
Physical health and wellbeing: the functioning of the body & its systems,
including the capacity to perform daily activities & tasks. Includes healthy body
weight, & freedom from disease & illness.
Social health and wellbeing: the ability to form meaningful & satisfying
relationships with others, & the ability to manage/adapt appropriately to different
social situations. Includes a supportive network of friends & effective
communication with others.
Mental health and wellbeing: the current state of wellbeing of a person’s mind or
brain & relates to the ability to think and process information. Includes low levels
of stress & anxiety, & positive self-esteem
Emotional health and wellbeing: the ability to recognise, understand, &
effectively manage and express emotions and feelings in a positive way, & being
able to display resilience in everyday life. Includes recognising & understanding a
range of emotions.
Spiritual health and wellbeing: the values, ideas, beliefs, & ethics that arise in the
minds and consciences of human beings. Includes a sense of belonging &
positive meaning and purpose in life.
Disease: a physical or mental disturbance involving symptoms, dysfunctions, or
tissue damage
Dynamic: continually changing
Illness: a subjective concept related to personal experiences of a disease or injury.
Subjective: influenced by or based on personal beliefs, feelings or opinions
Optimal health & Wellbeing: the highest level of health & wellbeing an individual can
realistically attain at any particular time, taking into account genetics & the different
environments in which people live.
behavioural contributions
Smoking: substance is burned, resulting in smoke inhaled & absorbed into the
bloodstream Risk factors for conditions such as:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Cancers (incl. lung, mouth & stomach),
Respiratory conditions (e.g., emphysema & asthma)
Low birth weight babies (below 2.5kg)
Back pain & problems
Infectious diseases (e.g., pneumonia)
Alcohol: excessive consumption incl. alcoholism & binge-drinking. Risk factor for
contributions such as:
Overweight & Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Cancers Liver disease (incl. cirrhosis)
