Health is a person’s state of physical, mental and social well-being. It is a key component of one’s quality of life: good health also provides for a person’s economic and social development.
Health is a complex concept with a variety of dimensions which include physical, mental (psychological), social, emotional and spiritual aspects.
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
Section 3(1) of the Medical Treatment Law of Latvia defines health as “physical, mental and social well-being, the natural basis of the existence and survival of the State and the nation.”
Both definitions refer not only to the physical condition of a person but also to mental (psychological) and social well-being. Health is not just the absence of illness, but a combination of different physical and non-physical factors.
About this section
This section of the Guide will explain three different aspects of health.