Fakultas Kesehatan

Masyarakat
UIN Sumatera Utara Medan

What is Health?
KEY WORDS: Before reading the TEXT, look through the following
key words, and then do the KEY WORDS REVIEW.
1.absence n. state of being away or not being present: I am doing
Ali's job in his absence.| In the absence of data about past
immunization in the city, health workers vaccinated all children.
2.improve v.,
-to make something (sth) better: This is a course for students to
improve their English.
-become better: I hope the weather will improve later on. | His
health is improving day after day.
3. improvement noun of improve There's certainly been an
improvement in the children's behavior.
4. maintain v, to make sth continue the same way or at the same
high standard as before: The improvement in his health is being
maintained. The police maintain law and order.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 5. provide v. provide somebody with sth; provide sth (for sb); to give sth to
somebody(sb) or make sth available for sb to use: This book will provide you
with all the information you need.| Health centers in the community provide
medical care for people who live in the area.
6. productive adj. useful( because results come from it): a productive
meeting(=having useful results)
7. recognize v.
- know again sb or sth that you have seen or heard before: I didn't recognize
you without the glasses.
- know that sth is true: They recognize that there is a health problem in their
community.
8. describe v. to say what sb/sth is like, or what happened: The thief was
described as tall, thin, and aged about twenty.| The health situation of the
region is described in this report.
9. description noun The police have issued a detailed description of the
missing women.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 10. accept v.
•to agree to take sth that sb offers you: Why
don't you accept my advice?
•to say yes to sth or agree to sth: She has
accepted the job. | I accepted the invitation to
the meeting.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 READING
What is Health?

Health is a term that refers to a combination of the

absence of illness, the ability to cope with everyday
activities, physical fitness, and high quality of life. In any
organism, health can be said to be a "state of balance,"
or analogous to homeostasis, and it also implies good
prospects for continued survival. Wellness is a term
sometimes used to describe the psychological state of
being healthy, but is most often used in the field of
alternative medicine to describe one's state of being.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 The most widely accepted definition is that of the World
Health Organization (WHO). It states that "health is a state
of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1946).
In more recent years, this statement has been modified to
include the ability to lead a "socially and economically
productive life." The WHO definition is not without
criticism, as some argue that health cannot be defined as a
state at all, but must be seen as a process of continuous
adjustment to the changing demands of living and of the
changing meanings we give to life. The WHO definition is
therefore considered by many as an idealistic goal rather
than a realistic proposition.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 Health is maintained through the science of medicine,
but can also be improved by individual effort. Physical
fitness, weight loss, healthy eating, stress management
training and stopping smoking and other substance abuse
are examples of steps to improve one's health. Workplace
programs are recognized by an increasingly large number of
companies for their value in improving health and well-
being of their employees, and increasing morale, loyalty
and productivity at work. A company may provide a gym
with exercise equipment, start smoking cessation programs,
provide nutrition, weight or stress management training.
Other programs may include health risk assessments and
health screenings.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 Comprehension Check

A. Answer the following questions.

1.What is WHO's definition of health?
2.How can we maintain our health and well-being?
3. What are the examples of improving one's health?
4.Why health should be considered as a continuous adjustment process rather than a
state?
5.What would be the influence of workplace programs on health?
6.When did WHO publish its definition on health?
7.Is WHO's definition of health an idealistic goal?
8.Give two examples of how a company can do to improve the health and well-being
of its employees.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 B. TRUE OR FALSE: Put T for true and F for false statements.
1.….. WHO's definition of health is accepted by many countries.
2.….. Health, as mentioned in the passage, is absence of disease.
3.….. WHO's definition of health has been criticized.
4.….. Psychological state of being healthy is termed as 'wellness.‘
5.….. Programs to stop smoking are used to improve workers' well-being.
6.….. Wellness is usually used to describe the psychological state of being
healthy.
7.….. Absence of disease or infirmity means health.
8.….. Healthy eating, weight loss, and stopping smoking are instances of
improving one's health.
9.…..From this passage, one can recognize that workplace plays a major
role in the improvement of employee's well-being.
10.…..Health can be improved by individual effort.
11.…. Based on WHO's definition, health is considered as a realistic
proposition.

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

 1.The term "health" is NOT connected with……
a. coping with everyday activity b. high quality of life
c. physical fitness of individuals d. illness of patients
2. Which of the following is TRUE about WHO's definition?
a. Health can be easily defined.
b. It is a complete definition.
c. It has been recently changed.
d. Is considered as a realistic proposition.
3. Which of the following is another appropriate title for the passage?
a. Definition of Health b. WHO's Definition of Health
c. Health Maintenance d. Healthy Lifestyle

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan

Prodi Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat – FKM UIN SU Medan