From physical health to digital health

Physical health represents one dimension of total well-being. The term refers to the state of your physical body and how well it's operating. Physical health and mental well-being are inextricably related. Physical injuries can lead to mental health issues, and vice versa. We often think of our mind and body as separate, but our physical health and mental health are interconnected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO): "Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community." Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. The term digital health is rooted in eHealth, which is defined as "the use of information and communications technology in support of health and health-related fields". More recently, the term digital health was introduced as "...a term encompassing eHealth (which includes mHealth), as well as emerging areas, such as the use of advanced computing sciences in 'big data, genomics and artificial intelligence" Digital health refers to the use of information and communication technologies in medicine and other health professions to manage illnesses and health risks and to promote wellness. Digital health has a broad scope and includes the use of wearable devices, mobile health, telehealth, health information technology, and telemedicine. Digital health advances offer a multitude of possibilities to improve public health and individual well-being. © Peter Lang GmbH. All rights reserved.