ABSTRACT
People assuming greater responsibility for their own health through lifestyle alterations is also seen as a significant megatrend. This chapter reviews and analyzes definitions of health offered from sources within the established health care system, contrasting them to some of what the more holistic oriented writers suggest. The concept of health is central to the understanding; evaluation, and advancement of any system of medicine. The ideology of the New Age movement emphasizes personal upgrading and self-improvement, thus influencing individual responsibility for health and well-being. Most holistic health care responds to concerns for fitness, wellness, prevention, risk reduction, etc. Disease attacks human groups, as is obvious in epidemics of infectious disease over history.
