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Health Of Health And Wellbeing

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Health, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) (1946), is the “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Alternate definitions include “a dynamic state of well-being characterised by a physical and mental potential, which satisfies the demands of life commensurate with age, culture, and personal responsibility” (Birscher, 2005). Health and wellbeing statistics are vital information as an indicator of the health of the nation. The statistics produced are observed to vary between countries as different methods and standards of measures are applied. The extent of measurement also depends on the social awareness of the implications of health and wellbeing.

One measure of health and wellbeing looks at the average life expectancy and mortality rates of the population. Most countries use this measure as it is easily accessible through hospital records and self-reporting health (SRH) surveys. One of the most frequently used health status indicators, life expectancy at birth is defined by the estimated life span of a newborn, on average, if current mortality rates are unchanged. However, the actual age-specific mortality rate of any particular birth cohort cannot be known in advance. If rates are falling, actual life spans will be higher than life expectancy calculated using current mortality rates. Improvements in life expectancy at birth can be attributed to a number of factors - rising living

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