Shifting focus from treatment to prevention
Health care systems, such as the National Health System (NHS), are challenging the way health services are provided to meet the increased demand for quality care. Among other thing, the systems have started to focus on reaching out to the patients, before they reach them. In its long-term plan, NHS sets out a wider action for prevention, including reducing obesity and Type-2 Diabetes. Moving from cure to prevention is a fundamental shift in health care, in which the system not only exists to treat but to help people stay well for longer. Why does it matter?
The growing crises of chronic illnesses place health care systems under high pressure. As such, preventative care advocates for the prevention of illness to reduce the burden associated with disease and associated risk factors. Prevention comes in various levels, including primary prevention to reduce the risk of developing a disease in the first place, or secondary prevention, which involves detection and treatment in the early stages. It includes health services like screenings, check-ups, and patient counselling.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that if everyone in the US received recommended clinical preventative care, 100 000 lives could be saved every year. Furthermore, shifting to prevention also recognises the opportunity to prolong healthier and happier lives. By default, the mission towards healthier futures becomes everyone’s responsibility, not only that of the health care institution, it includes individuals themselves, communities, governments, and businesses. Nevertheless, preventative care has a significant potential to reduce the burden placed on national health systems, both in terms of economic savings and in the optimal utilisation of resources.
The benefits of prevention are starting to change the mindset of health systems and businesses. Recently, Facebook launched a new Preventative Tool in the US, which connects people to health resources and check-up reminders, to address the fact that millions of people miss out on recommended preventive care. In Triumf, we are also advocating for the prevention of mental health problems that can occur when children are going through a serious diagnosis. Statistics show that 60% of children with chronic illnesses have at least one co-occuring mental disorder, compared to the 10-20% prevalence in the general population. These problems can be prevented and as such, our health app for children aims to create healthier and happier futures. Join us on our mission - request our demo here.