Nursing

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity’ (World Health Organization, 1946). The definition by WHO encompasses total well-being under the notion of health. In this definition, the word ‘wellbeing’ is is conjoined with ‘complete.’ The requirement for complete health ‘would leave people unhealthy all the time’ since it supports the idea of medical technology and professional organizations to redefine diseases while expanding the scope of the healthcare system. Thus, the word ‘complete’ should be eliminated from the definition.

Health is a basic human right since it protects the life and dignity of every person. Though provision of health is not possible, governments prefer offering universal healthcare through shared societal responsibility in the form of an insurance system that is publically financed (Deloitte, 2015). Healthcare is not available to all world citizens because its provision is challenging due to the costs required as well as the demanding social, cultural, political, and economic conditions (Millenium Project, 2006).

Examples of primary prevention health activities are counseling on healthy lifestyles such as dietary counseling for people at risk of diabetes, provision of publicity campaigns educating people on advantages of a healthy lifestyle such as avoidance of tobacco smoking, and nutrition and exercise counseling. Secondary prevention activities include screening for a condition such as diabetes and community level weight loss and exercise programs. Furthermore, tertiary prevention health activities include follow up examinations to identify recurrence of a condition, and ensuring implementation of health services organizational models that improve access to high-quality care.