The new concept of assessing the physical health of the adult population, based on the score estimation of the functional parameters of human adaptive capacities, as the leading criterion for his health has been suggested. The proposed methodological approaches were successfully tested during the comprehensive study of health of adult population of the Novgorod region, based on the total sample (approx. 5000 inhabitants), adjusted for its regional and age-gender structure. The study showed that nearly 80% of the adult population of the Novgorod region have normal health, characterized by relatively high adaptive capacity that enables them to lead a full-scale life style and to participate actively in life of the society.