Unit 1 Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellness Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 10 How the Aspects of Health Are Interrelated The aspects of your health are interrelated, meaning they all interact with and affect each other (Figure 1.3). Decline in one aspect of your health may lead to decline in another. Likewise, an improvement in one aspect of your health may lead to improvements in other aspects. Any changes in your health can affect your well-being. For example, suppose someone who eats well but is not active gets more activity and becomes physically fit. Improvement in physical health can also affect all other aspects of health. Becoming more physically fit can improve how you feel about yourself and help you face challenges with a positive outlook (mental and emotional health). Being more active might result in participating in new activities with friends (social health). These positive changes can improve your overall health and well-being. How Healthcare Promotes Personal Health Healthcare directly relates to personal health and wellness. Healthcare involves the treatment and prevention of illnesses, injuries, or diseases to improve health and well-being. Practicing wellness means that you do not only go to the doctor to receive treatment when you are sick. You also go to the doctor when you are well to help you stay healthy (called preventive healthcare). Preventive healthcare involves getting an annual physical exam, regular checkups, and screenings for conditions such as hearing or vision loss. In the United States, healthcare comes in many forms, takes place in different settings, and is delivered by many types of professionals. The following sections will introduce you to different types of healthcare services and settings, and explore how people pay for healthcare. Health and Well- Being Physical Health Social Health Mental and Emotional Health Interrelatedness of Health Figure 1.3 Only by paying attention to and practicing wellness in each aspect of health can people achieve good health and well-being. What does the term interrelated mean?