Health is an individual’s state of mental and physical well-being. Many diseases can be prevented by taking care of yourself and getting regular checkups.
This committee definition allows improvement efforts to target not only reduction of disease and disability but also improvements in individuals’ abilities to adapt to their prevailing circumstances, whatever those may be.
Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases caused by abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant organs. Also called neoplasms or malignant tumours, these cells may change in size, shape and color as they grow. They may also be able to influence the normal cells, molecules and blood vessels that surround and feed them.
Your body is made up of trillions of cells that normally form and grow over your lifetime, replacing old or damaged ones as needed. But sometimes these cells go wrong and keep growing when they should stop, or don’t die when they should. These abnormal cells can then gather and form a mass, called a tumor. Many types of cancer can be cured with early diagnosis and treatment. But the disease can return, even after successful treatment. This can be difficult for patients, causing emotional, social and occupational stressors and a decline in self-rated health. The exact causes of cancer are not fully known.
Heart disease
Cardiovascular disease includes a wide range of diseases that affect your heart and blood vessels. Some cause a build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries (coronary artery disease), which restricts blood flow and may lead to chest pain or a heart attack. Others cause problems with your heart’s rhythm or the way it pumps or relaxes (heart failure). Others cause clots in your arteries that lead to your brain or to your legs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), or an abnormal hole in your heart’s wall that lets blood leak out and move to other parts of your body (pericardial effusion).
Some heart disease is caused by germs that enter your bloodstream, which can damage or block your heart’s blood vessels. Other heart disease is the result of genetics and lifestyle habits, such as smoking and an unhealthy diet.
Diabetes
Normally, glucose (a type of sugar) passes from the blood into cells for energy. The body uses a hormone called insulin to do this. If you have diabetes, your pancreas either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly. As a result, too much glucose builds up in the blood. This can damage many parts of the body over time.
For example, it can cause numbness or tingling in the hands and feet — sometimes leading to open sores that can bleed easily. It can also lead to nerve problems like diabetic neuropathy, which makes it harder for you to feel heat and cold or pain. This can increase the risk of injury and may prevent you from noticing small wounds and infections that could require surgery.
You can help reduce your risk of diabetes complications by keeping your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol within the recommended range. You should exercise regularly, eat healthily and not smoke.
Mental health
Mental health is a state of emotional well-being in which you can cope with life’s stresses, realize your abilities, and have fulfilling relationships and contribute to your community. It’s determined by a complex interplay of individual, family and structural factors.
Depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders can have serious consequences for people’s physical and emotional health. These conditions often affect people’s ability to function at work, school and home, which can make it hard for them to enjoy their lives.
Mental health is critical for good overall health and wellbeing. It influences the onset and progression of diseases, impacts people’s ability to participate in daily activities and can lead to isolation and despair. WHO works to strengthen mental health systems worldwide so that individuals and families can access timely, affordable and quality care that is informed by human rights principles and centered on recovery. We do this by providing governments with strategic leadership, evidence and tools, including technical cooperation.