2000 | Maria Cecília de Souza Minayo, Zulmira Maria de Araújo Hartz, Paulo Marchiori Buss
Quality of life and health: a necessary debate
This paper discusses the relationships between quality of life and health by applying the discourses emerging in the health sector to other fields and other disciplines. These relationships constitute social representations based on subjective parameters (well-being, happiness, love, pleasure, personal satisfaction), and on objective ones such as satisfaction of basic needs and the needs created by the degree of economic and social development of a given society. The text presents the main instruments constructed in recent years for measuring quality of life, as well as the debates they cause. It also discusses the semantic field where the representations and actions in favor of quality of life – such as the concepts of development, democracy, quality, way and conditions of life – develop. In the field of health, the article discusses the tendency to restrict the concept of quality of life to the biomedical area, associated with an economic assessment. It shows the variety of instruments created for measuring quality of life according to the concept. Health promotion is considered one of the most relevant strategies in this field to avoid medical reductionism and develop an interdisciplinary dialogue. It is argued that this proposal still needs to be refined and tested in sanitary practices.
Keywords: Quality of Life; Indicators for Quality of Life; Health Promotion
The concept of health is closely related to the concept of quality of life. Health is not merely the absence of disease, but a broader notion that includes well-being, happiness, love, pleasure, and personal satisfaction. The concept of quality of life is multidimensional, encompassing both subjective and objective aspects. It is influenced by historical, cultural, and social factors, and varies across different societies and individuals.
Quality of life is a complex concept that has been the subject of extensive discussion in various fields, including health, economics, and social sciences. The measurement of quality of life has been approached through various instruments, such as the Human Development Index (IDH), the Index of Living Conditions (ICV), and the Quality of Life Index (IQV). These instruments aim to capture the multidimensional aspects of quality of life, including economic, social, and environmental factors.
In the health sector, the concept of quality of life is often associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL), which considers the impact of health on an individual's life. HRQL is measured through various tools, such as the WHOQOL-100 and WHOQOL-Bref, which assess different aspects of an individual's life, including physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
The discussion around quality of life and health highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach that considers both individual and societal factors. Health promotion is seen as a key strategy in this context, aiming to improve the overall well-being of individuals and communities. However, the concept of quality of life remains complex and requires further refinement and testing in practical settings. The debate around quality of life and health continues to evolve, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue andQuality of life and health: a necessary debate
This paper discusses the relationships between quality of life and health by applying the discourses emerging in the health sector to other fields and other disciplines. These relationships constitute social representations based on subjective parameters (well-being, happiness, love, pleasure, personal satisfaction), and on objective ones such as satisfaction of basic needs and the needs created by the degree of economic and social development of a given society. The text presents the main instruments constructed in recent years for measuring quality of life, as well as the debates they cause. It also discusses the semantic field where the representations and actions in favor of quality of life – such as the concepts of development, democracy, quality, way and conditions of life – develop. In the field of health, the article discusses the tendency to restrict the concept of quality of life to the biomedical area, associated with an economic assessment. It shows the variety of instruments created for measuring quality of life according to the concept. Health promotion is considered one of the most relevant strategies in this field to avoid medical reductionism and develop an interdisciplinary dialogue. It is argued that this proposal still needs to be refined and tested in sanitary practices.
Keywords: Quality of Life; Indicators for Quality of Life; Health Promotion
The concept of health is closely related to the concept of quality of life. Health is not merely the absence of disease, but a broader notion that includes well-being, happiness, love, pleasure, and personal satisfaction. The concept of quality of life is multidimensional, encompassing both subjective and objective aspects. It is influenced by historical, cultural, and social factors, and varies across different societies and individuals.
Quality of life is a complex concept that has been the subject of extensive discussion in various fields, including health, economics, and social sciences. The measurement of quality of life has been approached through various instruments, such as the Human Development Index (IDH), the Index of Living Conditions (ICV), and the Quality of Life Index (IQV). These instruments aim to capture the multidimensional aspects of quality of life, including economic, social, and environmental factors.
In the health sector, the concept of quality of life is often associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL), which considers the impact of health on an individual's life. HRQL is measured through various tools, such as the WHOQOL-100 and WHOQOL-Bref, which assess different aspects of an individual's life, including physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
The discussion around quality of life and health highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach that considers both individual and societal factors. Health promotion is seen as a key strategy in this context, aiming to improve the overall well-being of individuals and communities. However, the concept of quality of life remains complex and requires further refinement and testing in practical settings. The debate around quality of life and health continues to evolve, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and