The Circle of Health

Abstract

Beginning with a holistic definition in ancient times, the predominant American definition of health now focuses on physical health and disease symptoms. This limited definition of health is an inadequate foundation for holistic health care strategies. This article provides a conceptual model with an expanded definition of health as a basis for holistic and conventional health strategies. The model includes concepts of balance, energy systems, and mind-body integration from non-Western health practices. A holistic definition of health suggests an expanded range of positive, pleasurable health behaviors. The visual representation of the model can be used by health care professionals and clients to identify disease reduction strategies or a health improvement program for well individuals. Understanding and expanding the conceptualization of health and health improvement strategies offers the possibility of improving client satisfaction and health status outcomes.

Conceptions of health: A cross-cultural comparison.

“…Concepts of health defined as functional capability, a general sense of well-being, and a developmental process are more in line with the health definitions reported in multidimensional models (Baumann, 1961;Pender, 1990;Saylor, 2004;Schlenger, 1976;Smith, 1981). Moreover, the four structures or aspects of the self encompassed or subsumed by the state of being healthy or the process of moving towards positive health-the physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects of the self-parallel the ones advocated in the biopsychosocial model (WHO, 1948) as well as the ones described by Saylor (2004).…”

“…It is characterized by a sense of achievement and of harmony with one's environment. Saylor (2004) proposed a model of health that emphasizes wholeness. She described health in terms of three dimensions: optimal function, well-being, and quality of life.…”

“…The biomedical model conceptualizes health and illness as two opposite ends of a continuum. Being represented on a single bipolar dimension, they are seen as mutually exclusive states: being healthy means not being sick (Engel, 1977;Larson, 1999;Newman, 1991;Saylor, 2004;Stein, 1990;Tripp-Reimer, 1984;Turner, 2000). Accordingly, healthpromoting strategies are geared towards the treatment of illness (Alonso, 2004;Laffrey, Fong, & Loustau, 1985;Larson, 1999;Newman, 1991;Smith, 1981;Turner, 2000).…”

“…In reaction to the constructivist literature and to the criticism directed against the biomedical health perspective, multidimensional health models, which capture a variability of health conceptions, have been developed (Baumann, 1961;Pender, 1990;Saylor, 2004;…”

The Health of Rural Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a definition in 1948, that health requires a person to have complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing as well as the absence of disease (Larson, 1999;Saylor, 2004). However, this definition is limited and does not reflect the complexity of human beings or acknowledge the advances that have been made in healthcare.…”