#Lesson 1: Definition of Health & well-being

#🌿 Concept of Well-Being

#🎯 Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:

• Define the concept of well-being and explain its broad components including social, economic, psychological, and health aspects.

• Differentiate between the objective (standard/level of living) and subjective (quality of life) components of well-being.

• Describe the indicators of standard of living, including income, housing, education, nutrition, and access to services.

• Explain the concept of level of living and list its key components such as health, education, occupation, and social security.

• Discuss the concept of quality of life and its determinants including physical health, psychological state, social relationships, and environment.

• Distinguish clearly between level of living (objective) and quality of life (subjective) in relation to well-being.

#⭐ Golden 3 Basics of Concept of Health

• Well-being has two core components: Objective and Subjective

• Objective = Standard/Level of living (measurable factors like income, housing, education)

• Subjective = Quality of life (personal satisfaction, happiness)

#🌍 Concept of Well-Being

Well-being is a broad condition of an individual or group.

It includes:

• Social aspects

• Economic aspects

• Psychological aspects

• Spiritual aspects

• Medical aspects

#🔹 Two Components of Well-Being

1. Objective Component

Standard of Living / Level of Living

• Refers to measurable factors such as:

  • Income

  • Housing

  • Education

  • Access to services

2. Subjective Component

Quality of Life

• Based on:

  • Personal feelings

  • Satisfaction

  • Happiness

#🏠 Standard of Living

#Meaning

Standard of living refers to the typical level of spending, the goods we use, and the services we enjoy in daily life.

#What It Includes

• Education level

• Employment status

• Food and nutrition

• Clothing

• Housing

• Entertainment and comforts of modern life

#WHO Definition Includes

• Income and occupation

• Quality of housing

• Sanitation

• Nutrition

• Availability of health, education, recreational, and other services

👉 These together measure the socio-economic status and form an index of standard of living.

#Differences Across Countries

• Large inequalities exist worldwide

• Often measured using per capita GNP

#📊 Level of Living

“Level of living” is a term used by the United Nations as a parallel to standard of living.

#Nine Components of Level of Living

1. Health

2. Food consumption

3. Education

4. Occupation and working conditions

5. Housing

6. Social security

7. Clothing

8. Recreation and leisure

9. Human rights

#Importance of Health

Health is the most important component because when health is impaired, the entire level of living is affected.

#😊 Quality of Life

#Meaning

Quality of life is the subjective part of well-being.
It reflects how a person feels about different areas of their life.

#WHO Definition (Earlier)

Quality of life is shaped by:

• Health

• Happiness and comfort

• Education

• Social and intellectual achievements

• Freedom of action

• Justice

• Freedom of expression

#WHO Recent Definition

Quality of life results from interactions between:

• Social conditions

• Health status

• Economic conditions

• Environmental factors

#It Includes

• Physical health

• Psychological state

• Level of independence

• Social relationships

• Personal beliefs

• Relationship with the environment

#⚖️ Difference Between Level of Living and Quality of Life

#📈 Growing Importance of Well-Being

• People now expect better quality of life, not just higher income

• Governments aim to:

  • Reduce illness

  • Improve healthcare

  • Strengthen physical, mental, and social well-being

• Higher standard of living alone is not enough

• Strong social policies and better societal goals are essential

#📚 References

• World Health Organization (1975). Promoting Health in the Human Environment, Geneva.

• United Nations (1961). International Definition and Measurement of Levels of Living, UN Publication.

• World Health Organization (1976). WHO Chronicle, 30(8):312.

• World Health Organization (2004). A Glossary of Terms for Community Health Care and Services for Older Persons.

• Nagpal R & Sell H (1985). Subjective Well-Being, SEARO, New Delhi.