A Vision for Wellness

Wellness - A Public Health Issue

There are many types of organizations using the terms wellness and well-being.  The distinctions between the two words are subtle, yet profound.  My research has uncovered that the word wellness includes a component of having a positive attitude, as opposed to a religious preference.

Also, wellness centers are springing up across the country.  The one specific to this article resides in a public housing authority in central Pennsylvania.  The mission and goal of these centers, funded by the federal government, is to help low-income residents maintain good health so they can keep their housing.

When a person falls ill mentally or physically, the likelihood of losing their low-income housing increases.  Compliance with a housing authority’s rules and regulations becomes a burden.  A mental or physical setback can cause someone to lose the cheapest housing.  Without family supports in place, many low-income disabled and elderly residents end up homeless. 

Sad to say, but true to form, some elderly and disabled residents are substance abusers or have an untreated mental illness.  Organizations like the Agency on Aging or the Visiting Nurses Association can’t help everyone.  So, imagine how heartbreaking it is for a social services department to deliver an eviction notice to someone who is incapable of compliance. 

When we think of wellness, we can say that it is “[t]he condition of good physical and mental health, especially when actively maintained by proper diet, exercise, and avoidance of risky behavior.”[1]

Yet another definition states, “an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.”[2]  Surely, this is what the federal government wanted when they got involved in “wellness” efforts.  However, realistically, wellness is often about trying to restore a community to a state of good health after many years of neglect and abuse.

Economics and access to healthcare are not the only factors involved in the deteriorating health of men and women as they age.  Certainly, early decisions about the intake of alcohol, cigarettes, sugar and water impact our health for many years after the fact.  What is important is that we, as health conscious government entities, non-profit organizations and families change our message.

Wellness is not just about a positive attitude or good health – it is about making good choices.  After my children were grown, I began to hear child educators encouraging young children to make good choices.  The reference, at the time, was to managing social relationships.  More importantly, it is time we teach each other, no matter what the age, to make good choices regarding our eating, exercise and social relationships.  In this way, we have a vision for good health in the years ahead.

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[1] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/wellness

[2] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wellness