Abstract:
Absenteeism from work as a result of sickness places
a tremendous financial burden on the economy of any
country. In 2013, the Adcorp index revealed that 3.96
million South Africans were absent from work due to
illness as compared with 700 000 in 2000. Not only did
this result in billions of rand being lost on a yearly basis,
but the increasing trend is a major concern for the future.
Thus the question arose: “How sick do you have to be…
to be sick?” In 1948, The World Health Organization
(WHO) defined health in its broader sense as “a state of
complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It was initially
widely acclaimed for its inclusion of physical, mental
and social domains.1 However, since then it has been
criticized by many because of its lack of operational value,
ambiguity, and the problems created by use of the word
“complete” in relation to wellbeing.2 Strict application of
that unmeasurable criterion could categorise most people
as unhealthy, or able to declare themselves “unwell” much
of the time! It is also counterproductive in that it declares
those with chronic conditions and disabilities as ill, and
could inhibit people’s natural capacity to adapt and cope
with physical, emotional and social challenges.
