The WHO Definition of Health - Criticisms and Options

  The WHO Definition of Health - Criticisms and Options The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health, as identified in Huber (2011), is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.  The criteria listed in this definition at first appears comprehensive.  However, even though this definition encapsulates many aspects of health, it was identified that one of the main terms used in this definition, “complete”, is difficult to objectively measure.   To use the term “complete” means it is an absolute.  In application to the definition, anyone who has any type of physical, mental or social condition, no matter what, would be deemed to be unhealthy.  The term of “complete” has also resulted in the expansion of medical technology in order to ensure the complete healthiness of an individual.  With more medical technology and medications to treat also comes the identification of fur...