UPPSC 2023: Most accepted definition of health is given by -

UPPSC 2023

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2023

Explanation

The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, provides the most authoritative and globally accepted definition of health.
Formulated in 1948, the definition is: 'Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.'.
This definition is foundational because it presents a holistic and positive view of health, moving beyond a purely biomedical model that just focuses on the absence of illness.
It establishes a high standard and a goal for nations to strive for, encompassing the well-being of the whole person in their environment.

Option B: The Oxford English Dictionary provides linguistic definitions of words, reflecting their usage in the English language. It does not establish global standards or conceptual frameworks for public health.
Option C: The Indian Red Cross Society is a national humanitarian organization. While it works to promote health, it does not have the mandate to create or establish globally accepted definitions.
Option D: Similar to the Oxford English Dictionary, Webster's Dictionary is a lexicographical resource for the American English language. It defines words based on usage, but it is not an international body that sets public health standards.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Health as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The WHO's holistic definition of health is the foundation of modern nursing care. Nurses are trained to assess and address not just a patient's physical symptoms, but also their psychological, emotional, and social needs.
This comprehensive view guides holistic nursing assessments, care planning, and patient education, aiming to improve the patient's overall quality of life.
What if a patient is physically recovering from surgery but expresses deep anxiety about returning to work? A nurse applying the WHO definition would recognize this as a deficit in mental and social well-being, and would not consider the patient 'healthy' yet. The nurse would then provide emotional support, explore coping mechanisms, and might refer the patient to a social worker or counselor.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question's core requirement: it asks for the 'most accepted' definition of 'health'. This implies a need for an authoritative, global source.
Evaluate each option based on its role and authority. Ask yourself: Is this organization's primary purpose to set global health standards?
Recognize that dictionaries (Oxford, Webster) define words but don't set policy or conceptual standards for professional fields.
Identify that national organizations (like the Indian Red Cross Society) have a national, not global, scope for their primary mission.
Conclude that the World Health Organization (WHO) is the international body specifically created to direct and coordinate international health, making it the most logical source for a globally accepted definition.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 1

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 17-19