The Disparities in Health and Wellness

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. A number of definitions have been applied to health throughout the years. In general, though, health is considered to be a state of well being that includes the physical aspects of life, such as being healthy in terms of having strong muscles, being healthy in terms of a balanced diet and so on. It also includes the emotional aspects of being healthy, such as having a positive attitude and feeling optimistic about life. Health is a state that most of us strive for in order to lead productive and meaningful lives. The pursuit of health can sometimes become overwhelming or difficult for some people because of certain factors in their lives.

One of the major factors that contribute to the discrepancies in health between people are the gaps in overall health and mental health. Because people tend to get sick or stressed out at certain points in their lives, they may not be getting the right amount of nutrients and other essential nutrients to maintain their mental and physical well-being. These people tend to experience greater psychological stress and are more likely to develop both long term and short term illnesses, such as cancer or diabetes. The gaps in overall health and mental health are often related to the poverty level and health issues faced by members of minority groups.

It is important to consider health from all angles – not just from a physical point of view. Having strong mental health helps to support a person’s overall health and prevents illness and other life threatening diseases. Having good physical health also contributes to one’s mental health. Both mental health and physical health are important to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Although everyone deserves to have both, the fact is that many people do not.