defining and measuring health in contemporary society When trying to define health in our current society, one is presented with multiple options. In 2005, Bircher defined health as “a dynamic state of well-being characterized by a physical and mental potential, which satisfies the demands of life commensurate with age, culture, and personal responsibility”. This could be seen as a valid, specific definition of health. Similarly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined health as “A complete state