Health and disease concepts: an approach to health development

Purpose – Health for all is an ideal goal that all governments aspire to reach. The purpose of this paper is to assess the definitions of the key terms used to better appreciate the role of the WHO member states in their efforts to achieve improved healthcare systems that suit each nation ’ s particular needs. Design/methodology/approach – Definitions of the terms disease, illness and health are discussed against health concepts as a means of assessing the most effective approach toward achieving an effective universal healthcare system. Findings – Universal health and treatment of sickness and disease have improved globally, but the target of achieving total wellness still remains as a goal for the future and may be impeded by diseases that have not yet evolved. The implementation of a universal health coverage system is a positive step toward achieving the goals of health and wellness for the present times. Originality/value – This is a commentary piece.

problem of measurement of disease or illness (morbidity). Health is measurable as long as disease or illness is measurable but when disease or illness becomes immeasurable and imperceptible, then health also becomes immeasurable.
Among health definitions, the most widely used is from the World Health Organization namely, "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" [7]. This definition has been regarded as an attainable goal whilst others criticize it as being too ideal and unrealistic. Also, a range of conditions keep people at some point short of positive health [8]. Nonetheless, the above variation of the concepts of health are commonly accepted as statements of an ideal, or as Besson [9] described it, "optimum health." Whatever definitions of health might be used, only one that is realistic, practical and quantifiable should be accepted for operational purposes because the concepts of health, disease or illness will change according to advancement in health science, technology and financial investment.

Health development perspective: an approach
The WHO defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" [7] and its objective of "The attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health" [10] has already provided a broad-based foundation for the developmental approach toward positive health as a mandatory function of its member states and other stakeholders.
Initially, the WHO had to assist its member countries to fight against diseases stemming from the low levels of development, poverty, lack of education and many other prevailing environmental and ecological problems. It was realized that it is not yet possible for everyone to fully enjoy complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In 1977, the World Health Assembly of the WHO resolved to set the main social target/goal for the governments and the WHO "toward the attainment by all people of the world by the year 2000 of a level of health that will permit them to lead a socially and economically productive life" [11].
Additionally, at the International Conference on Primary Health Care (PHC) held in Alma Atar, USSR in 1978, there was consensus that a PHC approach is the key to attaining the social goal of "Health for All" by the year 2000. However, it was evident by the year 2000, that the achievements of the targets were not at all uniformly met, and yet, it was equally noted that more global health resources were indeed mobilized and made available for supporting worldwide efforts in health development. Furthermore, the general health conditions of people around the world were perceptibly improved, especially in developing countries, even though not uniform or equal. Evidently, PHC forms an integral part, both, of the country's health system, of which it is the central function and main focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the community [12].
Therefore, the World Health Assembly later agreed to keep the goal of "Health for All" without specifying the target date, and since 2000, the idea of a Universal Health Coverage system was conceived as an important step toward Health for All.
To move toward good health, investments in public health interventions, particularly health promotion and disease prevention as well as effective health care must be ensured throughout the life cycle of individuals and at the same time, people who are already sick must receive the best treatment and care to limit the degree of morbidity or disability. To stay healthy, people will have to ensure proper behaviors and lifestyles, and, as far as health is concerned, always keep in mind the influence of two broad areas of health determinants, i.e., environment and genetic endowment.
When the intervention moves forward into the area of secondary prevention, health becomes more negative with an increased degree of dependence of a person on others. It is