title: [Position of health at international relations. Part I. Structural dimensions of health].
abstract: In the article, the health is perceived as complex, multidimensional concept and not as absence of disease. This is consistent with public health perspective, where public health is regarded as public as well as political activity. It aims to solve health and social problems, depends on analysis of phenomena, needs the negotiations and relies on making decision on feasible directions of changes--what, why, how, where, when and by whom should be done. Public health policy developed as a result of international relations, and UN family fora especially, is regarded as significant for creating of health position. The aim of this article was: (1) the analysis of selected concepts and definitions related to structural dimensions of health, used in UN international arrangements; (2) an attempt to explain the evolution of health structure notions at worldwide agenda. The UN main bodies, programmes and funds working on the health field are mentioned and voting rules in UN General Assembly and World Health Assembly are reminded. The following structural dimensions were considered: (a) well-being, (b) human rights, (c) everyday resource, health potential, (4) equity. All were explored in WHO Constitution, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and numerous WHA and UN GA resolutions, decisions as well as other documents. Some remarkable differences in English and Polish language versions and meanings were pointed out. It was argued that present perception of structural dimension of health is strongly derived from the preamble of the WHO Constitution adopted and signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States. It is an evidence of the strength of this document and wisdom of its authors. The greater progress is associated. with concepts and notion of organizational dimensions of health perceived as action and processes leading to health. Long-term efforts to strengthen the image of health was compared to positioning known in marketing as creating an identity in the minds of a target market.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Epidemiologii i Promocji Zdrowia Centrum Medyczne Kształcenia Podyplomowego w Warszawie. dorotac@cmkp.edu.pl
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cianciara
authors.forename: Mirosław J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wysocki
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies; D007391:International Cooperation; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011044:Poland; D011634:Public Health; D011635:Public Health Administration; D014480:United Nations