More than not being sick

The idea

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease.

Is no disease enough?

Aman has no fever, no cough, no illness at all. But he has moved to a new city, has no friends, and feels low and alone every day.

Is Aman fully healthy?

• Yes, because he has no disease
• Not fully: something else is missing
• Yes, because only the body counts

Which part is low?

Read each story. Tap the part of health it hurts. The stool wobbles if a leg is short.

Three parts, not one

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease.

Aman has no disease, but his social well-being is low. So he is not fully healthy.

• Part | What it means
• Physical | The body works well
• Mental | A positive mind that copes well with difficult situations
• Social | Getting on well with friends, family and others

Notes

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease.

Check yourself

Who is NOT fully healthy?

Health means complete well-being of which three kinds?

Which of these is part of health?

• A girl with no disease who is very lonely — correct. Yes. Her social well-being is low, even though she has no disease.
• A boy who eats well, sleeps well and has friends. All three parts of his health are fine.
• A girl who is cheerful, active and has friends. All three parts of her health are fine.
• Physical, mental and social — correct. Yes. All three together.
• Physical only. Health is not only about the body.
• The absence of disease only. Health is not merely the absence of disease.
• Social well-being — correct. Yes. Getting on well with others is part of health.
• Having a lot of money. Health is about physical, mental and social well-being, not money.
• Never meeting other people. Social well-being means getting on well with others.