Preventive Health Mantra

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In current times, sedentary lifestyle, stress, food habits, unhygienic surroundings and lack of awareness often lead to various types of diseases. These diseases not only impact the general well being of human beings but also lead to socio-economic and psychological problems. The present book emphasises that prevention is better than cure for healthy and happy lifestyle. The book provides simple measures that can be taken to prevent different types of chronic, infectious and common illnesses, thereby reducing the risk of developing diseases and achieving the goal of healthy lifestyle.

Parul R. Sheth, recipient of the CB Sharma National Award for Science Communications, 2003, is a renowned science writer. After completing M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, she obtained her doctorate in Biochemistry from the Seth G.S. Medical College, Mumbai. She worked at the Institute for Research in Reproduction, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) before joining the editorial board of Science Today, a Times of India Publication. She has to her credit many research papers, popular science books and articles in various newspapers and magazines. She has also contributed to many science programmes broadcast by the All India Radio. Presently, she is associated with the National Centre for Science Communicators (NCSC), Mumbai.

In the 21st century, the new health 'mantra' is prevention. "Prevention is better than cure" is an ancient adage that holds true even today. Why cure, when you can prevent! Lifestyle diseases are increasing steadily in spite of the world moving towards longevity. Affluence has led to sedentary lifestyles together with high stress and competition.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, due to public health successes, populations are ageing and increasingly people are living with one or more chronic conditions. This places new, long-term demands on health care systems. Chronic conditions projected to be the leading cause of disability throughout the world by the year 2020; if not successfully prevented and managed, will become the most expensive problems faced by our health care systems.

In December 2019, a deadly pandemic took hundreds of lives across the world. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its mutated strains have infected millions of people. To restrict the viral infection, prevention is the only way; adopting safety procedures and getting vaccine shots. Likewise, there are several other infections and diseases that can be thwarted and managed by adopting proper norms and protection measures.

It is true that most current health care systems are based on responding to acute problems, urgent needs of patients and pressing concerns. Testing, diagnosing, relieving symptoms, and expecting a cure are hallmarks of contemporary health care.

Science, technology and medicine have progressed in leaps and bounds to such levels that there is no turning back. There are diagnostic tests to detect a disease, treatments available to cure, but remember, life does not always give you a second chance. The old adage, "Prevention is better than cure" still holds true. Why cure, when you can prevent?

Think about it. We service our cars, computers and air- conditioners to keep them in working condition at all times. But have you ever thought that your body too is a complex machinery, which also needs servicing? We have entered the era of preventive medicine. Prevention is not just better, but it is also cheaper.

Hectic lifestyles today have led to several lifestyle diseases. We are moving towards longevity, but are surrounded by high stress levels and affluence accompanied with sedentary lifestyle. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, bone and joint related diseases, cancer, infectious ailments and many more have encroached upon us. Rather than treating these diseases or curing them, it is better to take measures to prevent them. Prevention is like being prepared and is the need of the hour.