‘Human functioning’ complements morbidity and mortality to provide a holistic understanding of human health beyond disease. Credit: Frontiers/Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne
The term “wellness” entered popular vocabulary shortly after the lockdown and quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. People found that without the ability to walk, socialize, and work, well-being suffered. Health was suddenly more than just the state of our bodies – it also depended on the ability to participate in activities that are important to us.
While this was a revelation to many, the World Health Organization (WHO) had already begun this rethinking of health. It created a new concept and assessment framework to capture the multidimensional nature of our daily health experience, called ‘human functioning’.
“Despite its great promise, this new tool has not been widely implemented in healthcare and policy. Our team’s goal is to make it happen,” said Prof. Gerold Stucki, a senior member of a research team at Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne. , Switzerland.
In their article published in Frontiers in science, Stucki and colleagues unveil an innovative framework for integrating the assessment and treatment of functioning in health and social systems. “We believe that this approach has the potential to transform health practice, education, research and policy,” added Prof. Jerome Bickenbach.
Human functioning: the missing link between health and well-being
Human functioning complements the traditional biomedical approach by adding the ‘lived health’ dimension. This aspect of health reflects individuals’ ability to participate in a range of activities, from eating independently to socializing and working. Because our biological and lived health are intertwined, this approach offers a more complete understanding of human health.
!['Human functioning' complements morbidity and mortality to provide a holistic understanding of human health beyond disease. Credit: Frontiers/Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne New health indicator could revolutionize the way we measure and achieve well-being](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/new-health-indicator-c-1.jpg)
‘Human functioning’ complements morbidity and mortality to provide a holistic understanding of human health beyond disease. Credit: Frontiers/Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne
Mobility limitations are a clear example of why an assessment of functioning is important. A person with a disability may be in poor health in a physical environment that is not accessible. But their functioning can be improved by tools and changes in the built environment.
“Functioning also reveals how our health is related to our well-being,” explains Prof. Sara Rubinelli. “It is not just about the absence of disease, injury or other physical problems, but also about the ability to participate in daily life and achieve personal goals. The widespread nurturing of individual well-being could ultimately really benefit our society transform increasing social well-being.”
Data on human functioning complements morbidity and mortality
To achieve this vision, the team developed a multifaceted strategy for implementing standardized assessment of functioning in health and social systems. The first step is to recognize functioning as the third important indicator of health.
!['Human functioning' complements morbidity and mortality to provide a holistic understanding of human health beyond disease. Credit: Frontiers/Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne New health indicator could revolutionize the way we measure and achieve well-being](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/new-health-indicator-c-2.jpg)
‘Human functioning’ complements morbidity and mortality to provide a holistic understanding of human health beyond disease. Credit: Frontiers/Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne
“Morbidity and mortality are the two main indicators currently used to assess population health and the effectiveness of policies and interventions,” said Cristiana Baffone. “While this strategy has given us tremendous benefits, it does not include lived health. Recognizing functioning as the third most important indicator will bridge this gap. Once we start systematically collecting functioning data, we can use it to inform government policy. inform and direct.”
The article explains that this approach can also contribute to the UN’s third sustainable development goal (SDG3): “to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.” While SDG3 focuses on both health and well-being, its progress is assessed through mortality and morbidity data. Systematically tracking and analyzing data on the human functioning of different populations can guide efforts to achieve the full vision of SDG3.
Human Functioning Sciences: New Field Could Fuel the Functional Revolution
Integrating health care functioning is a complex process that requires significant investment and involvement from health care providers, policy makers and the public. A key issue raised by the authors is a general lack of awareness about the extensive potential benefits of this approach, which can be addressed through effective communication campaigns. They also emphasize the need for a new generation of researchers, healthcare professionals and policy entrepreneurs to form a ‘human functioning’ workforce.
!['Human functioning' complements morbidity and mortality to provide a holistic understanding of human health beyond disease. Credit: Frontiers/Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne New health indicator could revolutionize the way we measure and achieve well-being](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/new-health-indicator-c-3.jpg)
‘Human functioning’ complements morbidity and mortality to provide a holistic understanding of human health beyond disease. Credit: Frontiers/Swiss Paraplegic Research and the University of Lucerne
“We can facilitate this move by establishing a new scientific field called ‘human functioning sciences’. This field will integrate different disciplines to deepen our understanding of health and guide research, healthcare and policy,” Stucki explained.
The challenges ahead may seem daunting, but rehabilitation is an example of a discipline where functioning is already well integrated, setting guidelines and driving technical development.
“Rehabilitation is an evolving success story that can lead us through the functioning revolution,” said Bickenbach. “While we are well on our way to solving methodological challenges, large-scale implementation is still in its infancy. Socio-economic investment is essential to deliver on the promise of human functioning,” he concluded.
More information:
Jerome Bickenbach et al, The Human Functioning Revolution: Implications for Health Systems and Science, Frontiers in science (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fsci.2023.1118512
Quote: New health indicator could change how we measure and achieve well-being (2023, May 31) Retrieved June 4, 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-05-health-indicator-well-being.html
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