How does the World Health Organization define health?

• A. The state of physical, mental, and social well-being
• B. The absence of disease
• C. The ability to work
• D. The leading cause of death

Answer: (A)

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. This definition broadens health beyond just not being sick to include how well a person functions physically, feels mentally, and engages with others and their environment. It also implies that factors like lifestyle, social ties, and access to resources affect overall well-being.

That’s why the idea of health as simply not having a disease is too narrow. The option focused on the ability to work captures only one aspect of functioning and misses mental and social dimensions. The option about the leading cause of death is a statistical measure, not a description of what health means.