uno new health indicator that can revolutionize the way we measure and achieve well-being: it has been called indicator of “experienced health” and was proposed by some researchers from Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne, Switzerland.
Lived health, the indicator for measuring well-being
In published study Frontiers in Science scientists who deal with people with mobility difficulties but who in this case are aimed at everyone, show a new approach to health that goes beyond the mere absence of disease and that is based on “human functioning” as a whole.
«Starting from the term “well-being” which entered the popular vocabulary predominantly during the Covid-19 pandemic – the authors write – we discovered that without the possibility of going for walks, socializing and working, our well-being was affected. HealthIn short, it was no longer just the state of our bodybut it also depended on our ability to engage in activities that interest us.
The lived health indicator is a new approach to health that goes beyond the simple absence of disease (Getty)
A new conception of health
While this was a revelation to many, WHO, the World Health Organization, had already initiated steps towards this new broader conception of healthbut without ever fully realizing it. Objective that the team of Swiss scholars wants to achieve.
“Our biological and lived health are intertwined and this new approach delivers a more complete understanding of human health» explain the scientists again.
“How it works also clarifies how our health is linked to our well-being. Because it’s not just about the absence of illness, injury or other physical problems. But also of the ability to take part in daily life and achieve personal goals. Cultivating individual well-being on a large scale could truly transform our society.”
Morbidity, mortality and… lived health
The team has developed a strategy that plans to include the “experienced health” indicator together with the other two, or morbidity and mortalitycurrently used to evaluate population health and the effectiveness of policies and interventions,
Such an approach, the scientists are convinced, could also advance the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG3) which is to «ensure healthy living and promote well-being for all».
A complex but decisive process
It is clear, the authors say, that integrating ‘lived health’ into health care is a complex process which requires investment and involvement from healthcare professionals, politicians and the public.
One of the main problems raised by the authors is, in fact, a general lack of awareness about the broad potential benefits of this approach. But not only that, because the creation of one would also be fundamental new generation of researchers, health professionals and politicians who can work in the field of “human functioning sciences” fully understanding their meaning.
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