Health and Illness: Determinants, Types, and Transmission

1. Health and Illness

1. Health and illness

1.1 Health and Its Determinants

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.

Health depends on a number of factors known as determinants of health. Determinants include individual biological factors, environmental factors, and factors related to health measures, all of which affect our health.

Biological Determinants

Biological determinants are personal characteristics related to the physiological make-up of the human body. These include increasing age and certain characteristics an individual is born with, which may be inherited from their parents.

Environmental Determinants

Environmental determinants are features of our surroundings. Positive factors include fresh air (+). Negative factors include the presence of pathogenic organisms (-), such as:

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Protozoa
• Fungi
• Certain invertebrate parasites (e.g., tapeworms)

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle describes the set of habits that reflect an individual or group's way of life. Positive lifestyle factors include:

• Keeping basic standards of personal hygiene
• Doing regular physical activity
• Not consuming harmful substances
• Not self-medicating
• Getting enough sleep (8 to 9 hours)

Public Health Measures and Healthcare System

The implementation of public health measures for a population is beneficial. Establishing a good healthcare system that includes services for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation is important. Other essential measures include:

• Proper sanitation
• Control of food and water quality
• Proper management of waste and pollutants to avoid poisoning and the proliferation of pathogens

1.2 Illnesses

Illness: any physical or mental symptom that causes the body to not function properly.

Types of Illnesses

Non-infectious Illnesses

Non-infectious illnesses are not caused by pathogens. They develop as a result of other causes, such as:

• Aging
• Accidents
• Congenital conditions
• Lifestyle habits
• Injuries (traumas)
• Degenerative diseases

These illnesses cannot be transmitted; they are not contagious.

Infectious Illnesses

Infectious illnesses are caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and invertebrates that enter the body. Examples include:

• The flu
• Chickenpox
• The common cold

Infectious illnesses are contagious.

Transmission of Infectious Illnesses

Direct Transmission

Direct transmission occurs when the pathogen passes directly from a sick person to a healthy person (for example, by sneezing or direct contact).

Indirect Transmission

Indirect transmission occurs when the pathogen uses vehicles such as water or food to spread illness from one person to another.