Health can be defined as a ‘complete physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease infirmity (World Health Organisation 1984). There are several approaches to health namely medical, educational, health behaviour, empowerment and social change.
The Medical approach focuses on measures to reduce illnesses and deaths. The approach has three stages; primary prevention which promotes immunization through risk education, secondary prevention prevents the progression of diseases and tertiary prevention reduces further suffering to those already affected. Medical approach is common because it uses scientific methods; diseases are prevented and diagnosed at an early stage. This makes it cheaper than treating people already ill. The approach has experts who have knowledge to obtain results as evidenced by the smallpox vaccination programme which saw success in the public health.
However the approach does not take into consideration socio-environmental structure of health. In addition it is not always successful due to under diagnosis, poor methods of diagnosis and inability to reach those most at risk.
Behaviour change promotes good healthy behaviour to people. It is popular because it regards health as an individual property. However it does not take into account that making health decisions is a long process unless an individual is ready to make the choice. The approach assumes people have a duty to look after themselves and be responsible for the outcome or their actions.
Moreover the approach does not put into consideration reasons why people may not be able to put a healthy diet into practice for example lack of money; poverty (Morris et al 2000). Some of these reasons are outside individual control. The approach uses methods such as persuading people to stop smoking, eat healthily and regular exercise.
Social change stresses the