Prevention is Better Than Cure
World health Organisation has defined health as a state of physical, mental and social well being of an individual. A welfare state takes some measures to achieve it, but the co-operation of people is essential to
prevent many diseases. World health organisation has set to attain “Health for All” by the year 2000 A.D. The slogan envisages of health care system which is primarily related to improving socio-economic condition, spread of literacy and environmental well being of the society.
Of all the diseases known to mankind 50% are preventable. The
preventive measures are laid under the following headings.
1. AIR
Oxygen in air is essential for life. All living creatures inhale oxygen and let out carbondioxide, plants consume CO2 and let out O2. Thus there is an ecological balance of o2 in nature. Growing trees thus are essential in crowded cities to eliminate air pollutants and ensure
good health.
Pollution of air by carbon monoxide emitted by automobile exhaust poses a threat of anoxic ancephalopathy to the citizens and it calls for state control to regulate periodically all the vehicles on the road.
Workers in coal, cement, asbestos, silica and other factories are required to be peovied with special masks to avoid occupational hazards. Every human being have to take the responsibility to reduse the pollution. So
Prevention is Better Than Cure.
Environmental tobacco smoke is a known human lung carcinogen. The second largest cause of death in our country is cancer and smoking related diseases. A part from cancer, are coronary artery disease, stroke, sudden cardial death, myocardial infarct and peripheral vessel diseases. Smoking related cancer may develop in mouth, pharynx and larynx, lung, oesophagus and stomach.
Leukaemia due to benzene in cigarette smoke is another hazard. Parental smoking can cause increasing miscarriage, decreased birth weight, reduction in growth and educational achievement of children.
In women smoking causes greater risk of reducing fertility, and spontaneous abortion. 20% of cancers in U.S.A. are due to smoking.
2. WATER
Wholesome water is essential for health, contamination of water with sewage is responsible for gastroenteritis, cholera and infective hepatitis (jaundice).
Water is required to be filtered, boiled or passed through aqua guards to make it safe for
health. All the water born diseases are preventable by consuming whole some water.
Articles of food consumed raw like vegetables and salad need to be washed in running water to prevent contaminants entering gastro intestinal tract. Gastro enteritis, Cholera, typhoid fever and worm infestations and thus prevented. Personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and physical exercises are necessary to prevent diseases.
Genetic counseling before marriage can
prevent diabetes, epilepsy and obesity. Congenital defect in the new born is prevented by avoiding drugs and exposure to X-RAY during pregnancy.
In big cities accidents represent fourth largest cause of deaths which is preventable by observing traffic regulations and ensuring social health immunization programme has eliminated small pox from the country and many viral diseases are preventable by vaccination.
Major source of diseases are due to involvement of cardiaovascular system causing coronary artery disease and stroke which is
preventable by avoiding smoking, consuming alcohol, fatty food, control of blood pressure and diabetes.
The stress and strain of modern life is adding new dimensions of hazard to human
mental health which is preventable by dedication to work regulated exercises, 6 hours or sound sleep and social adjustment.
The message of the talk is to :
- Avoid self drugging
- Stop smoking.
- Observation of moderation in food habits.
- Avoid addiction to alcohol.
- Regular daily exercises and
- Learn to adjust in the society to attain happiness.
