The Perceptions Of Health Status And Wellbeing

In today’s society, there is a wide range of perceptions of health status and wellbeing which can be viewed as either positive or negative. Therefore, the definitions of health status have evolved with time and seem to continue changing in the future. Different views and meanings of health status and wellbeing depend on the social class or where the family lives. A positive perception of health can be viewed as when an individual is more likely to sustain or achieve physical fitness from exercising. Thus, a positive view can be defined when an individual is free from disease, illness, mental disorder, or anything which might be a potential symptom of health deterioration. The holistic perception of health views the person as a whole rather
Even though personal behavior, as well as genetics, plays a significant role in determining people’s health, good health is determined by where we live, work, play, and learn (Steptoe, Deaton, and Stone 2015, p.640). However, health is complex and multi-factorial as it is influenced by various factors, including age, employment, living conditions, education, family history of illness. Several health or lifestyle related habits can have a significant effect on an individual’s health. A social and behavioral issues that have impact on health include alcohol, lack of physical experience, sexual problems, behavior due to drug taking, poor dieting causing malnutrition or obesity, socio-economic aspects (World Health Organization 2015, p.16). Additionally, the social factors that affect health and well-being consist of genders, education, and cultures leading to some groups of people being healthier than other. However, there is also a relationship between health and income. Individuals with low economic status are characterized by poor education, job insecurity, poor working conditions, unemployment, and lower class jobs. Poor economic and social circumstances affect individual’s health throughout life (Steptoe, Deaton, and Stone, 2015, p.643). People who have low social status run at least twice the risk of severe impairment or illness and premature death when compared to people who have good living conditions. The effects are not only confined to only the poor, but the social gradient in health status runs right across the whole community where even the lower ranking staff and middle-class workers suffer much more impairment and earlier death than top-ranking team.