glossary chapter 1

chronic condition

any disease or condition that lasts a long time.

disease

A physical or mental disturbance involving symptoms, dysfunction or tissue damage.

dynamic

continually changing

equilibrium

relates a state of calmness

Health and wellbeing

The state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual existence characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.

illlness

A subjective concept related to personal experience of a disease or injury.

infirmity

The quality or state of being weak or ill; often associated with old age.

Pandemic

The spread of infectious disease through human populations across a large region such as multiple continents or worldwide.

productivity

Relates to the efficiency of the production of goods and services.

subjective

Influenced by or based on personal beliefs, feelings or opinions

vector

A living thing that carries and transmits pathogens to other living things.