“In order to know life – what it is, what it has been, and what it will be – we must look beyond the details of individual lives and try to find rules governing all.” – The Kybalion

Health is a complex, integrated process. Too often it has been explained by very narrow criteria and hence, the ability to achieve health has eluded many or is not sustainable. Achieving health is a life-long process and involves a number of key criteria that must be attended to on an ongoing basis.

The definitions of health are variable and how one defines health strongly influences how they approach health and disease. The determinants of health represent those factors that are essential to health and healing and that are required on an ongoing daily basis.

The factors that influence health and disease relate to lifestyle, social, external and environmental factors; as well as, personal essence, genetics and medical treatments, procedures and prescriptions. Identifying the factors contributing to symptoms and diseases is an essential aspect of achieving health.

Some of the information provided above is taken from Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND’s book The Energetics of Health, a Naturopathic Assessment. For further information please refer to the book or the references cited within the individual sections.