According to the World Health Organization, health is complete physical, mental, and social well-being, free of disease. In contrast, according to the 2017 State of Massachusetts Health Assessment, the majority of people’s health is not influenced by their genes. It also reflects their lifestyle and environment. There are many factors that contribute to a person’s health, including money, power, and resources. These factors influence a person’s life quality, including the quality of their diet, exercise, and social connections.

The World Health Organization defines health as a human right, and a human right is defined as the “full enjoyment of his or her physical, mental, and social well-being.” The basic notion of health is that every person has the right to enjoy the highest possible standard of health, without regard to race, religion, or political beliefs. The ability to live a long, fulfilling, and productive life is a critical component of health, and can be promoted through the encouragement of activities that promote wellness and avoid situations that are harmful. Various nation states have endorsed the right to healthy living as a part of their constitutions, and are legally obligated to provide affordable and timely health care.

Health is defined as “the absence of disease.” However, in our current medical paradigm, this definition is not entirely accurate. We can have health and illness and yet still have different conditions and diseases. In this case, what is important for us is that the medical profession declares that we are all healthy. The emergence of new diseases is a constant source of uncertainty. In this paradigm, personal feelings or observations are not relevant – unless they match a set of specific medical criteria.