[Health--people's perspective].

In 1997--2000, we conducted a study of people's concept of health. 80 persons aged 16 - 93 years were invited to a qualitative interview taken on five different locations in Norway. Included in the material was a group of former and present top athletes. We identified six essential elements in people's conceptualization of health: well-being, function, nature, a sense of humour, coping, and energy. The lay perspective on health is characterized by three qualities: WHOLENESS: Health is a holistic phenomenon. Health is related to all aspects of life and society. PRAGMATISM: Health is a relative phenomenon. Health is experienced and evaluated according to what people find reasonable to expect, given their age, medical condition and social situation. INDIVIDUALISM: Health is a personal phenomenon. Every human being is unique, and health and strategies for health must be individualized.