According to the World Health Organization (WHO) health can be defined as “a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
WHO declared April 7th as World Health day which is celebrated to create awareness among each individual.
As per the definition of health given by WHO, a person cannot be said to be healthy, merely by a disease-free condition but should be physically and mentally healthy as well.
This demands a hygienic condition. Health and hygiene are thus correlated terms.
Hygiene can be defined as the practice of certain habits at the personal level (personal hygiene) and at the community level (social hygiene) to maintain a good health.
Personal hygiene: Majority of diseases can be prevented by keeping a good personal hygiene which includes cleanliness, physical exercise, proper rest, and sleep and avoiding habits like smoking, drinking alcohols, drugs etc..
Social hygiene: Social hygiene is as important as personal hygiene. Society includes the surrounding we live and other public places that has a great impact on the physical and mental condition of an individual. Untidy and improper way of disposal of waste in public places leads to unhealthy conditions due to uncontrolled growth of rodents and disease causing and carrying agents. Such conditions make us ill.
Personal and social hygiene can prevent the diseases caused by nutritional deficiency, unhealthy environment, contaminated food, air, and water.