ABSTRACT
Health is given a very idealistic definition by the World Health Organization (WHO) (2004: up) as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. As this is difficult to achieve, for those interested in studying health, the point of discussion these days is the availability of resources, both personal and societal, to help each individual achieve their personal health potential. It includes maintenance issues which, for postmodern societies such as the US or the UK, amount to the commodification of health (Gatrell 2002). An individual can, for instance, invest in their health by taking up private insurance. In addition, it is common practice to purchase professional expertise to better manage health.
