Colonists have several status indicators that reflect how they are doing. You should probably monitor colonist status and make sure it is above acceptable levels.
When a status indicator is low, a warning sign will appear on top of that colonist indicating what's wrong.[1]
Health[]
This is a measure of the physical health of a colonist, if it goes too low, the colonist will die.
Health slowly recovers by itself in normal circumstances, unless the other status indicators are low or the colonist is affected by a Condition.[1]
Conditions[]
A colonist can be affected by a variety of conditions. Some of them are deadly, some are not, some require medical treatment, some are just minor nuisances.[1]
Trauma Injuries[]
A condition that can occur due to mining or other kinds of accidents.
It's not deadly, but affected colonists won't be able to work. Can be cured by a Medic in the Sick Bay using Medical Supplies.
It's usually a good idea to replace Workers with Driller Bots in the Mines to prevent this from happening[1]
build a few (requires tech) or buy them from traders
Radiation[]
A severe condition that usually occurs as a result of exposure to solar flares or industrial accidents.
Needs to be quickly treated by a Medic in the Sick Bay using Medical Supplies otherwise will most probably result in death[1]
If you have sufficient hospital beds, any colonists infected with this inside a bed will have their health go down then up again. You can use medical supplies to greatly speed up the process but keep in mind they are not cheap. Use medical supplies to speed it up if you have more colonists infected with this than you have hospital beds.
Flu[]
A condition that sometimes can be brought into the base by visitors or new colonists.
Not usually serious, but it is contagious, and prevents colonists from working.[1]
There is a chance that in planetbase 1.2.5, this will be very life threatning and severe.
Combat Wounds[]
Severe condition that occurs as a result of being shot during an intruder attack.
Needs to be quickly treated by a Medic in the Sick Bay using Medical Supplies, otherwise will most probably result in death[1]
To stop this from happening, trigger red alert during an intruder attack(even if you have armed guards)
If you do this, only one or two colonists will get this.
Malnutrition[]
A condition that occurs as a result of not eating enough variety of food.
It's not deadly, but affected colonists won't be able to work. Can be cured by a Medic in the Sick Bay using Medical Supplies, or by eating a Mixed Meal. [1]
To eliminate this problem, grow a variety of plants in the bio-domes, and/or build tissue synthesizers.
This will presist until they consume a non-basic meal or recieve medical aid.
Nutrition[]
This is a measure of how well fed a colonist is, if it goes too low, Health will start to drop, and the colonist will eventually die.
Colonists usually get fed by eating Meals in the Canteen. Meals are usually made in the Meal Maker from Vegetables or Vitromeat.[1]
Hydration[]
This is a measure of how thirsty a colonist is, if it goes too low, Health will start to drop, and colonist will eventually die.
Colonists can drink water at a Drinking Fountain, that can be placed in the Canteen or in the Multi-Dome. Make sure that the number of Fountains is proportionate to the number of Colonists. If you see too many thirst icons, you need to place more Fountains.[1]
Oxygen[]
This measures the Oxygen level of a colonist, if it goes too low, Health will start to drop, and colonist will eventually die.
When indoors, colonists need to be in a structure with enough oxygen in it.
When outdoors, colonists will slowly breathe oxygen from their spacesuits, and at some point they will need to get back inside to replenish.[1]
The interior structure they go in must have at least 17% oxygen for their oxygen levels to replenish.
Sleep[]
This is a measure of how sleepy a colonist is. If it goes too low, colonists will be less effective at work, and they will stop working altogether if it drops below a certain level.
Colonists can sleep in a Bunk in the Dorm. They will try to do this at night and keep a routine, but if they can't either because they need to work or there is no space, they will do it at any time.
Another way of recovering sleep is in a proper Bed in a Cabin. This recovers sleep faster and also recovers morale.
Be aware that sleepiness affects your Colony's welfare status and that's why it is important to have enough dorms or cabins. [1]
Morale[]
This is a measure of the psychological health of a colonist. If it goes low, colonists will be less effective at work, and they will stop working altogether if it drops below a certain level.
Working and carrying stuff around decreases morale.
Other events like disasters, or people dying will also impact morale.
Larger populations have an adverse impact on morale.[1]
Various objects in the base, like plants, video screens, exercise facilities, drinks or individual beds allow colonists to recover morale. The most effective is the bar (if you can afford to spend the food resources), since all other morale-boosting devices have a cooldown.
In late game, it is suggested that you use cabins because of the advantages they have over dorms despite being more expensive.