Since healthier populations live longer and more productive lives, leading to greater economic prosperity; the health and wealth of a nation are essentially associated. When people visit their nearby health facilities for screening and routine checkups so as to identify and manage health problems early, they can avoid expensive hospital visits and diseases that can lead to years of costly care, or even premature death.
This is especially true when we think about the rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, mental illness, heart disease among others which can be prevented and treated early at the lower level hence keeping the population healthy with minimal costs.
Preventive care involves primary prevention services and activities, which include:
- Vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis of children, adults and the elderly
- Provision of information on behavioural and medical health risks, and measures to reduce risks at the individual and population levels
- Inclusion of disease prevention programmes at primary and specialized health care levels, such as access to preventive services like counselling
- Nutritional and food supplementation
- Dental hygiene education and oral health services
These services should be affordable and provided close to where people live and work. The World health organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Most times our focus is on materials being our investments because we believe that we shall achieve from those material investments in future, but we always forget to invest in the amazing machine that we have and that is “our bodies”.
We always think of investing in our children for a better future, investing in our businesses and property for better profits yet the only way to benefit from these investments is through taking good care of our own health so that we can live a longer and happy life.
Several ways of investing in health
- Through embracing routine health checkups and screening, for early detection and treatment in case they are unwell.
- Eating a balanced diet
- Avoiding and controlling stress levels; Through investing in mental wellbeing by recognizing and appreciating the things and people around you, regardless of the current life circumstances
- Through meditation; as this helps one to become more present in the moment, which counteracts the natural tendency to ruminate and overthink, and it also helps one to become less reactive to the things happening around
- Do physical exercises: Avoid a sedentary lifestyle; however, avoid excessive activities that can break you down.
- Be involved in social relationships; But avoid toxic, negative, social environments and ensure healthy positive relationships in order to maintain good health.
- And lastly know your worth, value your health, know the purpose of your existence and what you need at various stages of life.
It’s important to note that when you invest in your health, your immune system becomes stronger, allowing your body to fight off any diseases.
The authors are; Aisha Naava, Nursing officer working with Kawolo General Hospital and
Lilian Nuwabaine, BScN Nurse & MSN-Midwife & Women’s’ Health Specialist
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
