Zdravja

Zdravja is the Slovenian word for health. In this sense, zdravje refers to the state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not simply the absence of disease. The concept is used across medicine, public health, and policy to describe both individual well-being and population health.

Health outcomes are shaped by a range of determinants, including genetics, behaviors, environmental conditions, and access to care. Socioeconomic factors such as education and income influence opportunities for maintaining zdravje. Health systems aim to promote health, prevent illness, diagnose and treat disease, manage chronic conditions, and provide rehabilitation and palliative care. Public health emphasizes prevention, surveillance, vaccination, and reducing health inequities at the population level.

To monitor zdravja, researchers use indicators such as life expectancy, mortality and disease prevalence, and composite measures like disability-adjusted life years or quality-adjusted life years. Contemporary challenges include aging populations, rising chronic diseases, mental health needs, infectious diseases, and uneven health outcomes across groups. Policies that ensure universal access to care, preventive services, and integrated care are commonly pursued to improve zdravje at both national and global levels.