OpenTandem · Health literacy

What is health?

Defining and preserving good health—physical, mental, and social well-being that helps you handle stress and live a longer, more active life.

Start reading Explore preserving health

Why this matters now

Healthcare exists to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being—yet good health is something you build day by day, not only when you visit a clinic.

  • A fuller definition

    Move past “not sick” and understand health as emotional, mental, and physical balance you can maintain or improve through daily habits.

  • Stress and longevity

    Strong health is central to coping with stress and staying active longer—especially when life demands constant adaptation.

  • Evidence you can trust

    Grounded in widely cited public-health definitions and reviewed medical journalism—clear language, linked sources.

  • Actionable habits

    Balanced nutrition, regular movement, and meaningful connection are among the levers people use to protect and improve health over time.

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Definitions that still guide modern health

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

World Health Organization, 1946—still applied by health authorities today

Later WHO guidance describes health as a resource for everyday life—a positive concept emphasizing social and personal capacities, not an end in itself. Contemporary commentary adds that adapting to stress, environment, and personal context is part of what “good health” means in real lives.

U.S. healthcare spending (2019, CDC)

$3.8 trillion

Context

High spending alone does not guarantee longer life expectancy; access, lifestyle, and social factors all play a role.

Types of health

Physical and mental health are talked about most often—but well-being is multi-dimensional, dynamic, and continuous.

Physical health Mental health Emotional health Social well-being Spiritual & financial wellness

Body & function

Physical health

How your body performs daily tasks, recovers from illness, and responds to nutrition, sleep, and activity.

Mind & mood

Mental health

Thoughts, emotions, and resilience—linked closely with physical health and your ability to adapt under pressure.

Whole picture

Beyond two pillars

Spiritual, emotional, and financial dimensions can influence overall health—balance matters more than any single score.

See all types explained

Factors for good health

Genetics, environment, income, and daily choices interact. Health equity resources matter because not everyone faces the same starting conditions.

  • Lifestyle

    Diet, exercise, sleep, and social connection are among the habits people use to maintain or improve well-being.

  • Environment & genetics

    Air quality, access to care, and inherited traits shape outcomes alongside personal behavior.

  • Socioeconomic status

    Education, income, and community resources affect both healthcare access and everyday opportunities to stay well.

  • Preserving health

    Prevention, screening, and informed choices help you protect health before problems escalate—read how experts frame it.

Ready to define good health on your own terms?

Get the complete, medically reviewed guide—what health is, how types of well-being fit together, and practical ways to preserve it.

Start reading — full guide