The Concept of Human Health and Disease

By Deliana InfanteReviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc.

Introduction
What is human health? 
What is disease?
Key components of human health
Key components of diseases
Conclusion
References
Further reading

Introduction

Articulating a comprehensive definition of health and disease has been a historically intricate task. The earliest conceptual frameworks for health and disease can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt around 4,000 B.C.¹

Within these cultures, health and disease were understood as both physical and spiritual phenomena, where illness was frequently linked to sin, and health was perceived as the observable absence of disease.¹

Subsequently, the ancient Greeks, around 500 B.C., and many other civilizations introduced cosmological and anthropological perspectives to the definitions of health and disease, harmonizing the broader aspects of nature with human nature.¹

Despite extensive discussions spanning centuries, there remains no universal agreement on the definitions of health and disease.² Different theoretical perspectives present dichotomous, spectral, overlapping, or mutually exclusive interpretations.²

The philosophical discourse remains polarized between naturalistic and normative viewpoints, which complicates the practical application in medical contexts.³ This deadlock is concerning because healthcare practices and policy decisions are heavily influenced by how humanity conceptualizes health and disease.⁴

What is human health?

Throughout history, it has often been questioned whether health is limited to the absence of illness or, in other words, if it is feasible to define it without disease.^2-4

Its definition has evolved to encompass a broad range of physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions.⁵ In 2024, health is understood as the extent of an individual's ability to cope with their environment across these various dimensions. This holistic view recognizes that good health is not merely the absence of illness but a state of complete wellbeing.⁵

However, it is notable that definitions differ depending on the school of thought an individual adheres to. Academic research has led to the development of different philosophical frameworks, such as naturalism and normativism.^2-4

Naturalism posits that these concepts are value-free and objective, grounded in biological sciences.^2-4 The most common example of a naturalistic theory is Boorse's biostatistical theory, which defines health in terms of statistical normality within a species. According to this theory, health and disease exist independently of human values and perceptions.^3-4

Normativism, on the contrary, posits that health and disease are value-laden concepts, suggesting that they are nonobjective and subject to human interpretation and societal norms.^2-4

A new approach, salient naturalism, attempts to bridge the gap between naturalism and normativism by recognizing that while health and disease can be grounded in biological facts, the interpretation and significance of these facts are influenced by human values.³

What is disease?

A disease is generally defined as any harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism, typically associated with specific signs and symptoms.⁶ This deviation disrupts the delicate physiological balance, or homeostasis, of the organism.⁶

There are different types of diseases depending on their etiology, such as infectious diseases, chronic conditions, genetic disorders, and lifestyle-associated diseases.⁶

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or protozoa.⁷ These diseases can spread from person to person through direct or indirect contact. Some examples include COVID-19, tuberculosis, influenza, and food-borne illnesses like E. coli infections.⁷

Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that typically progress slowly.⁸ They include noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, and diabetes.⁸ These diseases are often influenced by a combination of genetic, physiological, lifestyle, and environmental factors.⁸ Some infectious agents can also cause chronic conditions.⁹

Genetic diseases can be classified into single-gene disorders, chromosomal disorders, and multifactorial disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.⁶

Lifestyle-related diseases are associated with behavioral risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.⁶ Common lifestyle-related diseases include obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.⁶

Notably, not only lifestyle-related factors affect the development of diseases; environmental factors (pollutants found in the air or water, mold, pesticides, food choices, or grooming products) could change the course of a disease.⁶

Key components of human health

Human health encompasses various dimensions, including physical, mental, social, and environmental health, each playing a crucial role in maintaining overall wellbeing.^5,10

Physical health involves optimal body functioning through exercise, nutrition, and preventive care, reducing the risk of numerous diseases and improving stress control, sleep, and mood.^11-12 A balanced diet is also linked to better mental and physical health outcomes.^11-12

Mental health, another critical component, can be affected by factors like anxiety, stress, and depression, which negatively impact physical health and increase disease risk.¹³ Contributing elements include biological factors, family history, and traumatic experiences, while positive mental health is associated with beneficial behaviors like smoking cessation and increased physical activity.¹³

Social health involves forming satisfying relationships, adapting to social situations, providing emotional support, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of belonging.^13-14 Similarly, environmental health focuses on the interactions between people and their surroundings, with clean water, air, adequate housing, and safe communities significantly contributing to good health.¹⁵

Key components of disease

Understanding the key components of disease is vital for effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.⁶ Etiology, the first component, describes disease causes, which can be biological, environmental, or genetic.¹⁶ Recognizing these causes is essential for appropriate treatments and preventive measures.

Pathogenesis, the second component, involves the sequence of events leading to disease development, focusing on interactions between genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and immune responses.¹⁷

Symptoms vary widely but often include pain, dysfunction, and distress and require early recognition for timely diagnosis and treatment.¹⁶ Diagnosis methods include physical exams, lab tests, imaging, and genetic testing.¹⁶

Treatment strategies vary and may include medications, surgery, lifestyle changes, and long-term management for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.¹⁶

Conclusion

The concepts of human health and disease have been central to medicine for centuries, shaping medical practices and policies with significant social, political, and moral implications.

Despite extensive historical and philosophical discourse, no universal definitions exist. Understanding health as a holistic state of wellbeing and disease as a harmful deviation from normal function remains crucial for effective healthcare.

References

1. Health and Disease: I. History of the Concepts | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). [Online] https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/health-and-disease-i-history-concepts#:~:text=Health%20and%20Disease%3A%20I
2. Van Der Linden, R., & Schermer, M. (2021). Health and disease as practical concepts: exploring function in context-specific definitions. Medicine Health Care and Philosophy, 25(1), 131–140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-021-10058-9
3. Thorell, A. (2023). Health and Disease: Between Naturalism and Normativism. Philosophy of Science, 91(2), 449–467. https://doi.org/10.1017/psa.2023.113
4. Donoso, F. S. (2021). The concepts of 'health' and 'disease.' Defining the Value of Medical Interventions - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585089/
5. Health | Definition & Importance. (2024). Encyclopedia Britannica. [Online] https://www.britannica.com/topic/health
6. Burrows, W., & Scarpelli, D. G. (2024). Disease | Definition, Types, & Control. Encyclopedia Britannica. [Online] https://www.britannica.com/science/disease
7. WHO EMRO | Infectious diseases | Health topics. (n.d.). World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. [Online] https://www.emro.who.int/health-topics/infectious-diseases/index.html
8. Noncommunicable diseases. (2023). [Online] https://shorturl.at/RMpl0
9. Knobler, S. L., O'Connor, S., Lemon, S. M., & Najafi, M. (2004). OVERVIEW. The Infectious Etiology of Chronic Diseases - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83680/
10. Wellbeing. (n.d.-a). Better Health Channel. [Online] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/wellbeing
11. Physical Activity. (2024). The Nutrition Source. [Online] https://shorturl.at/TNvjd
12. Diet and Exercise. (n.d.). County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. [Online] https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/health-factors/health-behaviors/diet-and-exercise#:~:text=Adults%20with%20more%20balanced%20diets%20are%20shown%20to%20have%20better%20mental%20and%20physical%20health%20outcomes
13. Mental wellness is important for a healthy heart and brain. (n.d.). American Heart Association. [Online] https://newsroom.heart.org/news/mental-wellness-is-important-for-a-healthy-heart-and-brain#:~:text=Anxiety%2C%20stress%20and%20depression%20can%20have%20a%20negative%20impact%20on%20your%20physical%20health%20and%20may%20even%20increase%20your%20risk%20for%20heart%20disease%20and%20stroke
14. Wellbeing. (n.d.-b). [Online] Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/wellbeing#factors-that-influence-wellbeing
15. Environmental Health. (n.d.). [Online] https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/environmental-health#:~:text=What%20is%20environmental%20health%3F,heart%20disease%2C%20cancer%20and%20dementia
16. Robbins, S. L, et al. (1999). Human disease | Definition & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. [Online] https://www.britannica.com/science/human-disease/Infectious-agents
17. Hansen, M. (2023). Pathogenesis: Understanding the Mechanisms behind Disease Development. International Research Journal of Basic and Clinical Studies, 8(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.14303/irjbcs.2023.54

Further Reading

• All Healthcare Content
• Medical Ethics and Health Policy
• Proactive Health: The Shift Towards Preventative Healthcare
• Role of Real-Time Data in Healthcare
• Managing the Explosion of Healthcare Data to Harness its Power