PREAMBLE TO YOUR CONSTITUTION

The World Health Organization definition of Health:

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

The correct bibliographic citation for the definition is:

Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.

The Definition has not been amended since 1948.

THE DECLARATION OF HEALTH INDEPENDENCE

(by Doc Bea)

We hold these health truths to be self-evident ….

• that all people are NOT created equal.
• That we are born with different families who have different races, backgrounds, traditions, lifestyles, challenges, and health problems, and we each have new needs as our ages and health conditions change.
• That we are males, females, infants, children, adults, older adults, and sometimes in-between.
• That we are different sizes: tall, short, broad, slender.
• That although we are all human beings with similar needs, each of us has a unique body, a unique life experience, and unique needs.
• That we all have the right to a quality of life, to self-acceptance, and to the best health that we can work towards, in constructive partnership with our families, our communities, our physicians, and most-importantly, ourselves.
• That we will all die someday, as the leading cause of death and disease is life itself, but we shall strive to live to the best of our ability and knowledge with physical, mental, and social well-being.