The concepts of “health” and “being healthy” are often misunderstood.
Have you ever wondered why some individuals who seem healthy suddenly fall gravely ill or even die, while those who appear seriously unwell manage to survive significant health challenges? This puzzling reality became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a physician, I frequently find myself grappling with these contradictions. Patients I anticipated wouldn’t survive hospital stays sometimes leave fully recovered, while others I believed would improve tragically do not. This unpredictability can be frustrating, especially when my role is to assess who will thrive based on the best scientific evidence available.
Unfortunately, scientific research has yet to fully explore the human spirit. Current methodologies are not equipped to unravel its intricacies or to comprehend the broader universe in which it exists. However, the absence of scientific explanation does not negate the reality of this phenomenon.
The Ongoing Battle of Eastern and Western Medicine
For centuries, Eastern and Western medical disciplines have been at odds over the concepts of spirit and science. While both approaches have their merits, they often seem to fall short of achieving true human health. Western medicine has struggled with certain diseases and failed to provide cures for many ailments. Similarly, Eastern medicine has limitations, particularly in treating acute and severe chronic conditions. This leads to a common misconception that these medical systems are ineffective. In reality, it’s not the disciplines themselves that fail; rather, it’s often the misalignment of various factors that hinders their effectiveness.
Consider a patient seeking treatment for an illness. They may choose to pursue Western medicine, Eastern medicine, or a combination of both. Once this decision is made, the expectation is a favorable outcome. When this doesn’t occur, it can be tempting to dismiss the chosen approach as ineffective. However, this perspective overlooks critical factors that influence treatment outcomes—such as accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment selection, and timely intervention.
It’s less about which discipline prevails and more about whether the right conditions have been established for success.
Understanding the variables affecting health outcomes.
According to the World Health Organization, the determinants of health fall into three primary categories: the physical environment, the social and economic environment, and individual characteristics and behaviors.
Almost invariably, we ignore all these determinants of health outcomes that are lurking behind the scenes when we embark on a treatment plan. Therefore, one does not, at the outset, know whether the odds are stacked “against” or “for” a favorable outcome with a particular treatment.
- Physical Environment: This includes inherited genetic traits.
- Social/Economic Environment: This encompasses the support systems provided by family and friends and one’s financial status.
- Individual Characteristics and Behaviors: This includes mindset and personality traits.
Often, we neglect these underlying determinants when formulating medical treatment plans, leaving us unaware of whether the conditions favor or hinder a successful outcome. Consequently, it’s no surprise that individuals facing the same illness and treatment can experience vastly different results.
Within these three categories of determinants, individual characteristics and behaviors is the most crucial, because it significantly influences the other two categories and is the most powerful factor determining the outcome of health interventions.
Putting it all together.
Navigating the multitude of health determinants and variables is no small task. However, there is a path to clarity and success.
Remember: the most vital determinant of health outcomes is your individual characteristics and behaviors, which are shaped by the interplay of your mind, body, and spirit.
Being healthy requires adapting your behaviors to achieve balance across physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, and the ability to restore equilibrium when imbalances arise. This capacity for balance and re-balance is a learned behavior, and at healthy human, we educate, train, and coach you to a balanced spirit for optimal health.
