The common meaning of health to any person around the world would simply mean, the state of being free from illness or injury. However, it can also mean being physically fit and mentally stable. The definition of health or being healthy can vary depending on the culture, country and religion. My personal philosophy of health would be, better security, medical resources and higher education. Together they will provide a better quality of life and health.
Security may be accessible to everyone in the United states, but security in different countries is hard to get and often times seems unobtainable. I experienced living in West Bank, Palestine and leaving the house was the most dangerous thing possible. We could never expect what will happen especially living in the middle of a war. Living in the middle of war, I could only expect the unexpected. Also, protesting is not a right and when the Palestinians go out to protest most of them will be fatally injured, which is what happened to my dear friend Nadeem Nowara.
Medical resources, on the other hand, are very limited in the West Bank and in most poverty states in the United States and other countries. To combat this, having a better trained medical staff and up to date medical equipment and make general medical healthcare readily available to the public would help. Medical health and resources should not be a privilege for the elite, but a right for all.
Finally, education in the United States is free from kindergarten to twelfth grade, and people often take that for granted in the states, but in third world countries going to school isn’t free and it is difficult for most young students to go to school and make a better life for themselves and their families. Most of the youth cannot afford school and more so if their families rely on them for finances and resources. There is also a lack of teachers for schools and also no transportation to go to school if the student lives far.
To conclude, the term “health” has a broad philosophy and meaning to different communities worldwide, however, my own perspective of its meaning delves from what I have experienced living in a third world country. Which is, to be healthy is to have better security and access to security, as well as having up to date medical resources and equipment and finally, to make education easily accessible with transportation and free.
Ahmad Ahmad 