In this chapter you have read that health is a wider concept than illness. Look at this quote from the Constitution and explain the terms ‘living standard’ and ‘public health’ in your own words.

An important part of the Constitution says it is the “duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.”

The term living standard means that the basic necessities like food and shelter available to the people living in different regions. The standard of living of people living in urban areas is comparatively better than those in rural areas. The provision of clean pollution air and water results in better standard of living.

On the other hand, in underdeveloped areas with non-availability of clean water and air, people are prone to illness and have poor living standards.


The term public health denotes the well-being of the people irrespective of their income, gender, education level etc. Everyone has got the basic right to avail health care services, to remain disease free and healthy. The significance of word PUBLIC is that the health care services are provided by the government and available to all without any discrimination.


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