Relevance of Hahnemann's Concept of Health in the Era of Lifestyle Disorders

Lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression are now the leading causes of death and disease globally. A number of modifiable characteristics of behaviour and psychosocial aspects contribute to all of these issues. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann describes health as the state of harmony of the dynamic vital force of the body rather than simply the absence of disease. His views, expressed in the Organon of Medicine, place great value on the individual, balance, susceptibility and the least complex intervention possible. The purpose of this article is to provide a critical evaluation of the implications of Hahnemann's notion of health in the current era of lifestyle diseases, both in terms of its philosophical and practical application to patient-centered, preventive and holistic care.