Episode #11 | How should we define health?

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Episode Summary

In this episode, Chris discusses the power of words in healthcare and how they can affect healthcare choices and outcomes. He provides examples of how scary words can create fear and avoidance of activity. The speaker then reviews an article that calls for a change in the definition of health created by the World Health Organization (WHO). The article highlights the limitations of the current definition and proposes a new definition that focuses on the ability to adapt and self-manage in physical, mental, and social domains. The speaker emphasizes the importance of clear definitions for measurement and research purposes.

Key Takeaways

The words we use in healthcare can have a significant impact on healthcare choices and outcomes.
Scary words can create fear and avoidance of activity, which can hinder pain management and overall health.
The current definition of health by the WHO has limitations and may contribute to the medicalization of healthcare.
A proposed new definition of health focuses on the ability to adapt and self-manage in physical, mental, and social domains.
Clear definitions are important for the measurement, research, and evaluating the effectiveness of healthcare interventions.