Prevention Is Powerful: Approaching Our Health

Prevention is something we don’t talk about enough in relation to our health. There’s a difference between prevention and treatment; prevention involves stopping the disease before it starts, whereas treatment deals with the disease after it has occurred. Oftentimes, healthcare is focused on treating illnesses after they happen… probably not the best for our health, right? This is why prevention is essential in modern healthcare. It saves lives, improves quality of life, and reduces strain on our healthcare systems.

Many leading health issues are preventable by focusing on lifestyle, environment, and early detection. You may not notice it, but the way you live your life impacts your health drastically. For example, avoiding tobacco, staying active, and getting vaccinated can reduce your risk for various cancers and heart conditions. In addition to lifestyle, your environment also affects your health. Have you ever traveled to a new city or country and noticed yourself walking more or eating healthier? That’s because the resources available to you determine your choices and health. Lastly, early detection is a key player in prevention. Screenings, vaccines, and routine care are essential to lowering disease prevalence at a larger scale. 

Treatment may keep people alive, but prevention helps people stay healthy. Prevention means fewer complications and hospitalizations, as well as long-term fulfillment and well-being. You can remain active, productive, and independent. However, you are not the only one who controls prevention in your life; policy does as well. Health policy determines accessibility to prevention by supporting clean water, vaccinations, nutrition, and safety. In short, prevention depends on systems, not just personal choice.

Prevention should be prioritized alongside treatment. Investing early leads to healthier populations and lower costs, improving healthcare systems and quality of life. Prevention is a shared responsibility between individuals and society, so it’s our job to call for and support a prevention-focused healthcare system.