Introduction: Relevance of the Topic
The number and variety of diseases are increasing day by day. Although current medicine regularly works to find methods of combating illnesses, people’s exposure to various ailments remains relatively high, and their prevalence is global. Disease prevention is one of the most critical tasks of modern health care. Knowledge of the topic is vital given the situation with coronavirus and how acute the issue is today. It is discussed not only in the media and the medical field but is also raised by competent authorities. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that this process helps increase health control, improving the person’s quality of life and those around him (Health Promotion and Disease Prevention). It is essential to understand that preventing a disease is much easier than treating it. Accordingly, to better understand and deal with this topic, it is necessary to discuss its essence, the problems when it is not followed, and the measures required to apply it.
Disease Prevention: Essence, Content, Importance
Many scientific articles have been written about disease prevention, but to realize the mechanism of its work, it is necessary first to define its content and essence. Disease prevention is a practical set of measures aimed at early detection, limiting the emergence or worsening of an illness, and preserving and strengthening health (Ross and Zerden s187). Preventive measures play an enormous role in stopping the spread of viruses and the emergence of epidemics.
It is essential to note its types speaking of disease prevention. There are several ones: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary includes a system of steps to limit the appearance of diseases: regular preventive check-ups and vaccination. It also provides observance of hygienic and sanitary norms and improvement of ecology and working conditions. Secondary prevention helps to detect and treat diseases at an early stage if risk factors are present. It also creates informational and educational programs: they help people with specific illnesses know how to live everyday life with severe diseases like diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and others. Tertiary prevention is done when the diagnosis has been confirmed. It facilitates the illness’s course and helps ensure a quicker recovery. The complex of preventive measures aims to restore the ability to work and maintain habitual life as much as possible. In any case, paying special attention to preserving and recuperating one’s organism is crucial.
Problems and Negative Consequences of Lack of Disease Prevention
Before identifying the negative consequences of not preventing diseases, it is necessary to recognize the risk factors that negatively affect health. Most risk factors are related to the wrong lifestyle that people lead: smoking, fatty, sugary, calorie-dense foods, too much body weight, constant nervous tension, and inability to relax. Some factors can only be determined by laboratory or instrumental studies. These include high blood pressure, blood fat concentration, diabetes, and clotting triggers. According to the WHO, the leading causes of death are circulatory system illnesses, malignancies, and external causes (The Top 10 Causes of Death). Disease prevention limits these adverse consequences and controls the impact of risk factors on health.
Another significant problem of lack of disease prevention is the economic side. This issue is particularly acute given the situation with coronavirus. Organizations have closed because of the shortage of compliance with the proper basic hygiene and health safety measures, and staff reductions have occurred. The pandemic has spread worldwide with severe health and socio-economic consequences affecting employees’ health and job stability (Iavicoli et al.). Timely disease prevention measures, proper workplace organization, and management control would have helped avoid these difficulties.
Necessary Measures
First, it is vital to note that health behavior plays a significant role in preventing illness. It applies to each action a person takes in everyday life. According to Rubinelli and Diviani, employees of the Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, behaviors are shaped by the individual, the social context, and the environment (2395). Planning and implementing behavioral health interventions begins with identifying the health care system problem. After that, it is necessary to define goals and objectives, analyze the current situation and develop critical activities for implementation. However, for this process to work effectively, everyone should ask himself how he can influence the situation and change his behavior in general. General disease prevention, which is available to anyone, can include:
Following personal hygiene practices.
Giving up smoking and drinking strong alcoholic beverages.
Balanced physical activity.
Regular cleaning of the house and airing of the apartment.
Eating a healthy diet that meets your body’s needs.
Using clothing that is appropriate for the weather and season.
Maintaining a work and rest routine.
Working with a mental health professional.
These simple things will help prolong healthy life and reduce morbidity and premature mortality.
Conclusion
Everyone should take care of their health and take preventive measures. The interaction between doctors and the public can increase the probability of limiting illness and, if detected, successfully treating it. Therefore, it is essential to educate the public on this topic. Preventing diseases is much easier and cheaper than curing them. Assuming that people have this knowledge and the ability to use it and apply it correctly, it will raise everyone’s standard of living and prevent a distressing increase in the number in the WHO statistics.
Works Cited
Iavicoli, Sergio, et al. “Risk Assessment at Work and Prevention Strategies on COVID-19 in Italy.” Plos One, vol. 16, no. 3, 2021.
Ross, Abigail M., and Lisa de Saxe Zerden. “Prevention, Health Promotion, and Social Work: Aligning Health and Human Service Systems Through a Workforce for Health.” American Journal of Public Health, vol.110, no. S2, 2020, pp. S186-S190.
Rubinelli, Sara, and Nicola Diviani. “The Bases of Targeting Behavior in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.” Patient Education and Counseling, vol. 103, no. 12, 2020, pp. 2395-2399.
“The Top 10 Causes of Death.” WHO, 2020.