Sustainable Health
Health in all its dimensions
Health is much more than the absence of disease. Be it physical, mental, or social, health is a critical resource to living a fulfilling life. “A healthy mind in a healthy body” is vital to everything we do, from meeting our basic needs to achieving our life goals and connecting with others.
But for PULSAR, we think it’s important to take it a step further.
Because the unresolved challenges we face in individual and public health are many. Because human health is intimately linked to the health of its environment. And because we can start finding solutions today for the challenges of tomorrow.
PULSAR believes that there needs to be a shift in the way we view and address health. And this shift hinges on a new concept that concerns us all: sustainable health.
What is sustainable health?
Sustainable health is a modern vision of health that goes far beyond conventional thinking. It encompasses every aspect of an individual’s health and well-being and looks at everything that can have an impact, whether good or bad.
For health to be truly sustainable, it is also important that we take action today while looking to the future. This means giving everyone equitable access to environments and resources conducive to adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also means having a long-term vision to ensure that future generations can also lead healthy lives.
And since human health is inextricably linked to the health of our planet, sustainable health also means taking steps to maintain and improve the state of the natural environment with a view to sustainable development.
In short, for us sustainable health is:
“A healthy mind in a healthy body,
in a healthy community and natural environment,
on a healthy planet.”
Eight areas of study in sustainable health
Age, sex, ethnicity, biological predispositions, DNA: everyone has their own particular biological and genetic characteristics.
Diet, sleep, physical activity, inactivity, consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, sexual practices, hygiene, public transit use; lifestyle refers to the way we act and live every day.
Some people are adept at managing their emotions. Others have good communication skills and can adapt to change or solve problems. These kinds of personal and social skills are what allow us to tackle life’s challenges.
Standard of living and education refer to, among other things, a person’s level of schooling, main occupation (i.e., employed or unemployed), job type, and income. These factors are among those with the biggest impact on health and well-being.
Family, workplace, school, home, and social environments: Living environments refer to all the places where people live, work, learn, and interact on a daily basis.
Soils and forests, water sources, air, biodiversity, climate and climate change: The natural environment and ecosystems sustain life on Earth and have an impact on people’s health.
This area of study covers systems managed by the government and its partners, including health and social services, education, childcare, and employment support and social solidarity programs. These systems are designed for the population as a whole and have an impact on individuals’ quality of life and health.
Politics, economics, and society all influence individual health and collective well-being at a higher level. Cultural, social, demographic, economic, political, and legislative contexts are good examples of these.