In the WHO disability model, disease refers to which of the following?

• A. Biomechanical/physiological/anatomical abnormality within the body.
• B. Disability at the whole-person level.
• C. Impairment of psychological function.
• D. Social role limitation.

Answer: (A)

In the WHO framework, disease is the biomedical abnormality inside the body—the biomechanical, physiological, or anatomical issue that underlies health problems. It’s the medical condition itself that can lead to impairments in body function, which in turn may cause activity limitations and participation restrictions, all shaped by environment and personal factors. For example, osteoarthritis is the disease that alters joint structure and function; the resulting reduced range of motion is an impairment, the difficulty walking is a disability, and limitations in work or social roles would be the handicap.

The other options describe consequences rather than the underlying condition: a whole-person disability level refers to functional limitations, an impairment of psychological function is a type of impairment, and social role limitation aligns with handicap/participation restriction rather than the disease itself.