What are the dimensions in the definition of health declared by WHO?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a comprehensive definition of health that extends beyond the mere absence of illness.
The official definition states that health is 'a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.'.
This definition explicitly identifies three core dimensions: physical, mental, and social.
Therefore, the option 'All of these' is the only one that completely captures the scope of the WHO's definition.

Option A: While social well-being is a crucial part of the WHO definition, it is only one of the three core dimensions. This option is incomplete.
Option B: Physical well-being is a fundamental component, but it represents only one-third of the official WHO definition. A person can be physically well but mentally or socially unwell.
Option C: Mental well-being is a key dimension, but it does not encompass the entire definition of health provided by the WHO, which also includes physical and social well-being.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain WHO Definition of Health as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This holistic definition mandates that nurses perform a comprehensive assessment considering the patient's body, mind, and social context, rather than focusing solely on physical symptoms.
Nursing care plans should be multidisciplinary, addressing not just physical ailments but also providing psychological support and connecting patients with social resources (e.g., counselors, social workers).
What if? If a patient with a chronic physical illness like diabetes reports feeling isolated and sad, a nurse applying the WHO definition would recognize these as issues of social and mental health. The nurse's action would extend beyond blood sugar management to include screening for depression and facilitating connections to support groups.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'dimensions,' 'definition of health,' and 'WHO'.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about the official WHO definition of health.
Recall that the definition is comprehensive and includes more than just the absence of disease.
Evaluate the options. 'Physical,' 'Mental,' and 'Social' are all correct components of the definition.
Since the question asks for the 'dimensions' (plural) and all three are listed as options, the most complete and therefore correct answer is 'All of these'.

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

Practise the full P.CHO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.