* Department of Health Science Health Sociology Section, Juntendo University School of Health and Sports Science, Chiba, Japan
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Summary The patterns of subjective definitions of health among the general population This study considers the challenges facing research into the patterns of subjective definitions of health among the general population. The medical definition of health is have based on science and evidence-based viewpoints, whereas the general population subjective definitions of health that may be unscientific and narrative-based or based on folk knowledge and individual experience. It is very important to better understand the definitions of health used by the general public. In order to develop an effective health promoting service system for the general public, we must understand that people have their own definitions of health based on their own subjective viewpoints. In this study we divided people's answers about their definition of health into six groups as follows ; (1 )physical well-being oriented answers such as "no disease, good physical condition, " (2) mental well-being oriented answers such as "feeling happy, happy home, having a basic sense that life is worth living, " (3) social well-being oriented answers such as "being able to work, good social relations, " (4) physical and mental well-being such as "physical and mental well-being, "(5) physical, mental, and social well-being oriented answers such as "being in good condition, including feeling fit, positive mental attitudes, and good human relations. " (6) spiritual well-being such as "being able to love other persons, being to be able to live positively" The subjective definitions of health appear to be associated with age, sex and the historical times. The definition has also been expanded from physical well-being alone to include mental, social and spiritual well-being with the progression of historical times. We must also be aware that people come to acquire their own subjective definition of health through the process of health socialization. Key words : subjective definition of health, health, health socialization, health promotion