Concept of health

Biomedical concept : According to biomedical concept, health

is nothing but absence of disease and if one was free from
disease, then the person was considered healthy.
The basis of this theory is the "germ theory of disease."

Ecological concept : According to ecological concept- health is

a dynamic equilibrium between human being and his
surroundings environment and disease is a maladjustment of
man to environment. The ecological concept raises two issues

- Imperfect man.
- Imperfect environment e.g. Air pollution, lack of safe water, bad
sanitation

Psychosocial concept : According to psychosocial concepthealth is not only a biomedical phenomenon but also
influenced by some social, mental- cultural, economical and
political factors.
Holistic Concept: This is the combination of all the above
concepts. Health implies a sound mind, in a sound body, in a
sound family, in a sound environment.

CONCEPTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH : Disease control phase( 18801920) : Through supply of safe drinking water, Sanitary disposal
of refuse and sewage.
Health Promotion Phase(1920-1960): Through MCH service,
Mental health service, School health service, Public health
nursing, Industrial health service etc.
Social uplift phase(1960-1980): Through study of social and
behavioral aspect of disease, identifying certain risk factors
,improvement of Socio-cultural environment etc.

Components of health
8 essential components of PHC :

Education about prevailing health problems & methods of

preventing and controlling them
Promotion of food supply and proper nutrition.
An adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitations
Maternal and child health care, including family planning
Immunization against infectious diseases
Prevention and control of endemic diseases
Appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries.
Provision of essential drugs.

Principles of primary health

a. Equitable distribution of health services.
b. Community participation at all level
c. Mutisectorial approach/ Intersectoral co-ordination.
d. Appropriate technology.
Universal coverage of the population, with care provided according to
need (Equitable distribution)
Communities should be involved in the development of the services so as
to promote self-reliance and reduce dependences (Community
participation). Community participation is an educational & empowering
process in which the people, in partnership with those who are able to
assist them, identify the problems & the needs & increasingly assumes
responsibilities themselves to plan, manage, control & assess the
collective actions that are proved necessary