Models of Health
“There are numerous models and explanations that highlight biological as well as social and psychological processes.”(Aggleton, 1990)
Health, illness and disease are defined conflictingly depending on different factors and models. Models of health vary but every model plays a defining role in signifying and conceptualizing what should or shouldn’t be the object of public health concerns. The purpose of these models is to explain why inequalities in health not only exist but also persist; there is an emphasis on pathological consequences of behaviour such as poor diets, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking. The different models of health relate to the two main perspectives of health; the biomedical model and the social model. Health is important as it affects everybody in an important way; it’s personal, social and emotional. How health can be defined is how it impacts on the nation and how its resources are allocated. “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (World Health Organization. 2006)
The key components of the social model involve the health of the individual being determined by a broad range of factors; social, environmental, economic as well as biomedical risk factors. The social model aims to reduce inequalities that relate to age, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and location and is often seen as the preventative approach. In the social model the disability is mainly caused by the barriers that exist within society and our environment and how they affect our everyday health and well-being. The social model looks at discriminating against those with disabilities acting as a barrier, some social backgrounds and socio-economic status, occupation, education, income, poverty, poor housing and environment which can effect pollution and diet, ethnicity can all be taken into consideration when realising that good health is more than the absence of disease.
Health, illness and disease are defined conflictingly depending on different factors and models. Models of health vary but every model plays a defining role in signifying and conceptualizing what should or shouldn’t be the object of public health concerns. The purpose of these models is to explain why inequalities in health not only exist but also persist; there is an emphasis on pathological consequences of behaviour such as poor diets, lack of exercise, smoking and drinking. The different models of health relate to the two main perspectives of health; the biomedical model and the social model. Health is important as it affects everybody in an important way; it’s personal, social and emotional. How health can be defined is how it impacts on the nation and how its resources are allocated. “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (World Health Organization. 2006)
The key components of the social model involve the health of the individual being determined by a broad range of factors; social, environmental, economic as well as biomedical risk factors. The social model aims to reduce inequalities that relate to age, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and location and is often seen as the preventative approach. In the social model the disability is mainly caused by the barriers that exist within society and our environment and how they affect our everyday health and well-being. The social model looks at discriminating against those with disabilities acting as a barrier, some social backgrounds and socio-economic status, occupation, education, income, poverty, poor housing and environment which can effect pollution and diet, ethnicity can all be taken into consideration when realising that good health is more than the absence of disease.
Bibliography: Aggleton, 1990, Health Studies: An introduction. Naidoo and Wills, 2008 Dahlgren and Whitehead, 1992. Policies and Strategies to promote social equity and health. Coppenhagen; World Health Organization Kelly, M. 1996. A code of ethics for Health Promotion. London, Social Affairs Unit World Health Organization. 2006. Constitution of the World Health Organization - Basic Documents, Forty-fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006.