Final answer:
The statement is false; health is not just the absence of disease but also a state of overall well-being, including physical, mental, and social aspects. The term malady includes various aspects of poor health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the absence of disease or illness is the optimal description of health is false. The concept of health is multifaceted, going beyond the mere lack of disease. Historically, health was considered merely as the absence of illness, but modern definitions emphasize a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is 'a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.' This broad view incorporates the ideas of wellness and optimal functioning of an individual in society. In essence, it includes the capacity to lead a socially and economically productive life, as well as the ability to cope with life's inevitable challenges. The term malady is a broad term that includes disease, illness, and any general departure from health.