Biomedical model = health is the freedom from disease
Model focuses on physical processes of pathology, biochemistry, etc.
Does not take into account social or individual factors
Biopsychosocial model
= Human functioning depends on biological, psychological, and social factors
Health is not purely biological
More modern
Salutogenic model
Model concerned with the relationship between health, stress and coping
Instead of focusing on “what causes disease?”, the model focuses on “what causes health?”
Health and disease is not a dichotomy but rather a continuum
Many definitions of health
WHO recent: “The extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment. Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living; it is a positive concept, emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.”
Seedhouse: “Health is a state in which people are able to work towards attaining their realistic chosen and biologic potentials”
WHO 1948: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Health is one of the basic human rights
Mental health: “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community (WHO)”
Wellness: A continuum of highest health potential <–> normal health <–> illness <–> death
Involves environmental, social, occupational, intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional factors
Indicators of health on a population level
Life expectancy
Premature mortality (years of potential life lost, YPLLs)
