International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) was published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2001 as a framework for considering health and functioning. It presents a holistic, person-centered approach to health and wellness. It is described as a biopsychosocial framework as it incorporates biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of health, accommodating both medical and social models of health. The ICF is composed of two major interrelated parts: Functioning and Disability and Contextual Factors. The three components of Functioning and Disability are Body Functions, Body Structures, and Activities and Participation. The two components of Contextual Factors are Environmental Factors and Personal Factors. These components are further divided into numerated categories (e.g., b230 Hearing functions) that are used to classify aspects of health ...