Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

The concept of health

Ekberg, M. E. (2007) The concept of health. Paper presented to: Inspiring Transformations: The Arts and Health Conference, University of Northampton, 3-6 September 2007. (Unpublished)

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Abstract: To make the claim that the Arts can make a positive contribution to the health of individuals and society, we need to explore the concept of health. This paper explores the diverse definitions of health, the different measures of health and the factors that contribute to enhancing or harming health. In defining health, the paper examines how the subjective experience of health changes over a person’s life and how expectations of health change over time and between cultures. Emphasis will be placed on the dynamic nature of health and in particular, the interrelationship between an individual’s state of health and their social, political, historical and cultural environment. In addition, the distinction between physical and mental health will be explored and the impact the arts can have on the mind and body will be discussed. One of the central questions raised and discussed in this paper is: why is health important? If we agree that health is important, then we can agree that health enhancing activities, such as participating in the arts and engaging in art therapies, are worthy pursuits
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General) > R726.7 Health psychology
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC435 Psychiatry > RC475 Therapeutics. Psychotherapy > RC489 Arts therapy
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA418 Medicine and society. Social medicine. Medical sociology
Creators: Ekberg, Merryn E
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
Date: 3 September 2007
Date Type: Presentation
Event Title: Inspiring Transformations: The Arts and Health Conference
Event Dates: 3-6 September 2007
Event Location: University of Northampton
Event Type: Conference
Language: English
Status: Unpublished
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/581

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