The concepts and definitions of health and wellbeing: positive, negative and holistic definitions, the World Health Organization definition, and the physical, intellectual, emotional and social dimensions of wellbeing.

What this dot point is asking

CCEA wants you to explain what health and wellbeing mean. You need the positive, negative and holistic definitions, the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, and the four dimensions of wellbeing (physical, intellectual, emotional and social), and to understand why the way health is defined shapes how care is planned, promoted and measured.

Negative and positive definitions

The negative definition is clear and measurable, because the presence of a diagnosed condition can be checked objectively, which suits medical diagnosis. Its weakness is that it ignores quality of life: by this definition a person with no diagnosis but who is lonely, anxious or unfit would count as "healthy". The positive definition is broader and more realistic, recognising that someone with a long-term condition can still live well, but it is harder to measure because wellbeing is subjective.

The WHO definition and the holistic concept

The WHO definition was influential because it shifted thinking from treating illness to promoting wellbeing. It has been criticised for the word "complete", which sets an unattainable ideal that almost no one ever reaches, and for not accounting for people who live well with long-term conditions. Despite the criticism, it remains the standard reference and underpins the holistic approach CCEA expects you to use.

The four dimensions of wellbeing

CCEA divides wellbeing into four dimensions. Physical wellbeing is the functioning of the body and freedom from illness or injury (mobility, fitness, freedom from pain). Intellectual wellbeing is the ability to think, learn, reason and stay mentally stimulated. Emotional wellbeing is recognising, expressing and managing feelings and coping with stress. Social wellbeing is forming and maintaining satisfying relationships and a sense of belonging. Because the dimensions interact, ill health in one (chronic pain, say) tends to drag down the others (low mood, withdrawal from friends, poor concentration), which is the heart of the holistic idea.

Why definitions matter

How health is defined shapes services. A purely negative view leads to services that only treat illness once it appears. A positive, holistic view supports health promotion, prevention and the recognition that wellbeing depends on social and emotional life, not just the body. This is why CCEA puts definitions first in AS 3: they frame everything that follows about factors, effects and improvement.

Try this

Q1. State the World Health Organization definition of health. [2 marks]

• Cue. A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Q2. Name the four dimensions of wellbeing. [4 marks]

• Cue. Physical, intellectual, emotional and social.

Q3. Explain one criticism of the WHO definition. [2 marks]

• Cue. The word "complete" sets an unattainable ideal, or it overlooks people who live well with long-term conditions.