Whole Health: A Global Perspective

The concept of Whole Health draws from the definition of health as stated in the World Health Organization (WHO) constitution that “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.”1 Reservations on the feasibility of operationalizing this definition have partially influenced the subsequent discourse on this concept. Some argued that the concept is vast, vague, and unquantifiable, thereby resulting in a biomedical implementation model focusing on treating diseases to improve an individual’s health.2 Noting the limitations of the biomedical model, Engel3 argued for a biopsychosocial model that considers the patient, the social context in which he lives, and the society mechanisms in place to deal with diseases. Similarly, Jonas and Rosenbaum4 advocated for whole person care, highlighting benefits such as better patient experience, clinical outcomes, and lower costs. The WHO definition of health has been instrumental in shaping the Whole Health concept to the current definition as a state of “physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being as defined by individuals, families, and communities.”5 The Whole Health framework involves a physical dimension, which focuses on maintaining bodily functions through nutrition, exercise, preventive care, and medical intervention; the mental and emotional health, which focuses on maintaining psychological well-being through mental health support, stress management; and access to resilience-building resources. The social health dimension maximizes social relationships, community support, and social determinants, such as education and employment. Environmental health relates to the role of the environment, including clean air, water, and safe housing, which significantly affect overall health.