lesson
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If you wake up tomorrow without a fever, cough, or broken bone, does that automatically mean you are in peak health?
In 1948, The World Health Organisation (WHO) tackled this exact question by creating a definition that revolutionized how doctors and scientists measure well-being.
The Three Pillars of Health
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as 'a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity'.
Physical health covers how efficiently your body systems function, mental health reflects how you handle stress and emotions, and social health relates to your relationships, safety, and community support.
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When one pillar destabilizes—such as prolonged isolation or inadequate housing—it places physical and mental strain on the body, dragging down total health.
What happens when one illness directly opens the door for a completely different disease?
Disease Categories and Mechanisms
A communicable disease is an infectious illness caused by pathogens (like bacteria or viruses) that spreads between individuals, whereas a non-communicable disease cannot spread and typically stems from genetics, lifestyle, or environment.
Diseases do not operate in isolated silos; biological defects caused by one condition often trigger or accelerate another.
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