Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of full physical, emotional and social well being and not just the absence of sickness and disease. Various definitions have been applied over time with varying degrees of seriousness. The best definition however, is the ability to be able to cope with ordinary life activities and the good health that come from it. Health is something that we all have and that we all need.
Prevention is better than cure. This principle has been widely applied to health promotion and disease prevention. It is important to take preventative measures to avoid incurring costs in treating a condition or to delay treating it when it is too late. In other words, it is important to take preventive measures so that you can control the severity and rate of severity of health related problems. There are many determinants of health and these include the following: physical exertion, environment, personal hygiene, nutritional intake and activity level.
By taking the time to assess these determinants, it becomes possible to design and implement plans that target both health promotion and disease prevention. There are many programs that aim to address health inequities. An example of a program aimed at health promotion and disease prevention is the Millennium Program. This program was established by the United Nations and aims at preventing child malnutrition and promoting healthy environments at schools, homes and communities.
Another way of addressing health care and health equity is through the implementation of improved community health services. The principles of the program set forth the idea that well-being should be achieved by everyone in the community rather than just by some segment of the population. This program also advocates the use of natural health care. This involves the use of readily available, safe and affordable resources to promote well-being and health. It also emphasizes the development of communities and their capacity to provide quality care and make health care systems more accessible to all.
In the planning phase, organizations consider the factors that may contribute to health promotion and the current health disparities they have as well as the means to correct these differences. They take into consideration factors like demographics, social determinants, economic status, environment, culture and motivation. They also consider the impact of policies and interventions. For instance, health promotion is done through education, promoting access to health services and emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Organizations that are involved in the Millennium Program have made a commitment to work with people from different communities, cultures and languages and train them to be agents of change. They believe that people from different backgrounds will have different and new health behaviors and attitudes towards health that will need to be integrated. A major part of the Millennium Program’s contribution is its Global Health Strategy that focuses on the fact that the key to preventing disease is change – sustainable changes. This includes the promotion of universal health coverage, the expansion of public health programs and better disease prevention and early detection.