Is Prevention the Cure We Ignore?
December 9, 2024
If you sit down in any public space, it becomes painfully clear: our population must be one of the unhealthiest in the world. People without extra weight are rare exceptions. Many of our citizens struggle with mobility, often sporting gray hair and slow steps. And when you pay attention to behavior—on the roads, for example—it's clear that many also need psychological help.
But this isn't just about appearances. There's a deeper issue: we are one of the countries that spends the highest percentage of GDP on healthcare. This isn't merely a result of our problems; it's also a cause. Chronic illnesses are rampant. We rank among the highest globally for dialysis rates, and conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes are treated as commonplace.
Despite this, the word "prevention" rarely translates into action. Imagine if all those doctors wasted airtime complaining about their six-figure salaries instead of following the example of Dr. Marilyn Moses. She consistently educates the public through the media. Imagine if the government committed to systematic, widespread education about healthy living—from nutrition and exercise to stress management.
Prevention must become the focus if we truly want change.
Sadly, we can't expect leadership from our younger politicians. Just last week, yet another was discredited after falsely nominating himself for the presidency of the Latin American Parliament and pretending it was a nomination from our Parliament.
This is not an isolated incident. Here's a (partial!) list of recent failures:
1. A young prime minister was sentenced to prison.
2. A young MP, the Kingdom Relations Commission chair, cannot express himself.
3. A young MP suspected of document fraud to appoint an assistant.
Political parties must learn from this. It's time to implement authentic coaching and mentoring programs for young politicians.
Prevention isn't just crucial for public health—it's essential in politics, too.
Miguel Goede
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