Health Definitions

CHALLENGES FACED BY HUMANITY

Rise in chronic/
autoimmune diseases

Increasing polarity/
discord

Environmental
degradation

The health of the humans, society and planet is deteriorating.
If human health improves, other two challenges will also get taken care off.
In order to improve the health of the people it is important to clearly understand what health is?

CURRENT DEFINITIONS OF HEALTH

WHO

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

CONFERENCE OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH (2009)

Health is not a "state" but is an "Ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical and emotional challenges".

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

Concept of balanced qi (pronounced chee), or vital energy, that is
believed to flow throughout the body

First two definitions are broad and do not guide with specific actions to achieve healthy status.
TCM narrows down to achieving equilibrium but still falls short of being specific.

PROPOSED DEFINITION OF HEALTH

"Sum dosha, sum agnishch, sum dhatu, mal kriyah".
Prasannatmendiriya manah swastha ibhidiyate.

Tri-DOSHA

AGNI

INDRIYAN

MALA

DHATU

The definition has five components which need to be in a state of equilibrium
to attain and sustain health and disequilibrium is precursor to disease.

CAUSES OF DISEASE

PRAGYAPARADHA

(Mistake of the intellect)

KALA

(Season, time, place etc.)

Asaatmyendriyartha

(Misuse or abuse of the five senses)

Bacteria, viruses, trauma etc.

CONCLUSION

Modern medicine's offense (treatment of disease) and Ayurveda's defense (restoration of health and disease management) combined would provide for an actionable roadmap

MODERN MEDICINE
(Offense Strategy)

Diagnosis

Etiology

Pathology/Pathogenesis

Treatment

AYURVEDA
(Defence Strategy)

Tridoshic equilibrium

Equilibrium of Agni

Dhatus in balanced state

Proper excretion of waste products

State of mind, indriyas(five senses) and Soul