The educational mission of health culture as a cultural universal

Background and Aim of Study: As a complex interdisciplinary entity, the phenomenon of health culture is linked to a wide range of scientific disciplines, as well as various categories and concepts. However, the problem of defining the place of the concept of “health culture” within the system of cultural universals, and the relationship between its components, remains unresolved. Additionally, it is important to consider the opportunities for forming a health culture, both personally and within society. The aim of the study: to explore the phenomenon of “health culture” as a cultural universal, to characterise the educational mission of health culture and to reveal ways of forming a personal health culture in an educational environment. Material and Methods: The present study summarises the author’s experience of researching health culture over more than 20 years. It covers the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of this phenomenon, focusing on the possibilities of forming a personal health culture in an educational environment through a socio-pedagogical system. The methodology of the system approach has been applied to the concept “health culture”, as well as a set of theoretical research methods: deduction and induction, analysis and synthesis, abstracting, comparison, generalisation, systematisation, interpretation of the results. Results: In this study, health culture is characterised as a cultural universal for the first time. The main methodological approaches to defining “culture” and its relationship with health culture were analysed. The connection between the definition of health culture and other concepts was determined. The structure of the hierarchy of cultural types within the concept of a universal health culture was characterised. A model of health culture of personality, as well as a model for forming a culture health of personality in the system of socio-pedagogical activity were developed. Conclusions: The educational mission of health culture is to promote the harmonious development of the individual and their conscious and responsible attitude towards their physical, mental, social and spiritual health and that of society. It also involves transferring knowledge and developing key competencies in maintaining and strengthening health, establishing moral values, preserving national traditions, satisfying cultural needs and developing human potential for the benefit of the individual, their family and society. As open social systems, educational systems have the greatest potential for forming a culture health of personality. The socio-pedagogical system proposed by the author for forming a health culture of personality in educational environments has proven highly effective. The results of empirical studies provide evidence for this.