Health Promotion Illness Promotion Preventive Care

What is Health Promotion?

Health promotion is a set of processes that allow people to control and enhance their health. This behavioural social science assists governments, communities, and individuals in managing and addressing health-related issues.

These efforts are achieved by developing healthy public policies, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action, and enhancing personal skills.

What is Preventive Care? 

Preventive care involves medical services designed to detect and potentially diagnose health problems early, often before any symptoms appear. Engaging in preventive healthcare can contribute to a longer and healthier life.

The preventive approaches are different for adults and children. For adults, it generally involves:

• Screenings for diseases
• Counselling on quitting smoking and maintaining healthy eating habits
• Immunisations

In the case of children, preventive healthcare typically includes:

• Annual physical and mental examinations
• Vaccinations
• Tests for conditions such as autism and lead exposure
• Blood tests

What Types of Tests, Screenings, and Services are Part of Preventive Care for Adults?

As mentioned, adults have specific preventive care approaches. Check out the explanation of each effort here:

Screenings for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes

It is important to undergo early detection of these common metabolic disorders for further treatment. With late or inappropriate treatment, these issues might cause severe illnesses and could shorten a person’s life.

Screenings for Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Cervical Cancer, and Prostate Cancer

Breast cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting women globally, requires early screening. Similarly, other types of cancers like colorectal, cervical and prostate are important to be highlighted for early screenings. This helps prevent cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body.

Counselling

Preventive counselling involves assistance in certain conditions. Some examples are quitting smoking, mental health screening, healthy lifestyle building, and chronic condition management. 

Immunisations

Some recommended vaccines for adults are the COVID-19 vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, HPV vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, and MMR vaccine. Consult your doctor to determine which one to take.

Preventive for Children

Just like adults, children also need preventive care to keep them away from diseases and illnesses. This care will help maintain their health during their growth. Some of the efforts involve:

Behavioural and Mental Health Screenings

Conditions like depression, autism, and developmental delays are included in the behavioural and mental health screenings as children’s preventive care.

Well-child Visits

A well-child visit is a preventive health appointment with your child’s doctor. These visits start right after birth and continue until your child turns 18-20. Typically, it involves immunisations and growth and development tracking.

Blood Tests

Various blood tests are available for children’s preventive care, including hematocrit or hemoglobin tests to detect iron deficiency and other tests for sickle cell disease and lead exposure.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations for children are divided into some age groups. Some are hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, influenza, and COVID-19. Consult the doctor for appropriate doses.

Preventive care is essential for both children and adults to prevent diseases and maintain health. Various tests are available at medical centres, making it easier for health-conscious individuals. Please consult the doctor before taking any further steps.

If you want to get professional treatment for preventive care, Wells Road Medical Centre in Chelsea Heights is available. We focus on disease prevention and health maintenance through lifestyle changes and regular check-ups. Contact us now!