Definitions of positive health: a systematic scoping review

Abstract

An agreed definition, model, and indicators of positive health would contribute to a better understanding and wider use of the term, thus favoring the development of the positive health approach in public health. However, there is no consensus even on the definition of positive health. In this study, we systematically reviewed its definitions. We conducted a scoping review as per PRISMA guidelines. We queried the MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and Web of Science databases. The PubMed search equation was: ‘positive health’ [Title/Abstract] AND (‘health’ [MeSH] OR ‘health status’ [MeSH] OR ‘health status indicators’ [MeSH]). Definitions of positive health referring to a ‘one-dimensional’ conceptualization of health are: (i) positive health as a state ‘far beyond a mere absence of disease’; (ii) positive health as wellbeing; and those referring to a ‘two-dimensional’ conceptualization are (iii) positive health as resilience and (iv) positive health as (a reserve in) capacities. This work contributes to the refining of the salutogenic vocabulary. At this stage of the ongoing discussion on health promotion vocabulary, we propose the ‘reserve in capacities’ as the candidate for the definition of positive health.