Preventive care is defined as “measures taken to prevent disease or injury before they happen.” It encompasses various activities, including lifestyle changes, vaccinations, and regular medical checkups. Preventive care aims to reduce the risk of developing a disease or injury by identifying and addressing potential health risks early on. Preventive care can help people stay healthy and avoid costly medical bills associated with serious illnesses or injuries.

Preventive care is essential because it promotes good health and well-being, rather than simply treating the symptoms of an illness after it has already developed. It allows people to take control of their own health and make lifestyle changes that can reduce their risk of developing severe diseases or injuries later on. It also helps keep medical costs from spiralling out of control by providing the opportunity to identify and address potential health risks early on before they become serious issues.

In this article, we will detail preventive care and its importance.

What is preventive healthcare?

Preventive care is healthcare stuff you do before getting sick. Yes, you read it right taking prevention before any emergency is required. You must be thinking, why visit a doctor when you are healthy and fit? Preventative measures can help you maintain your health and save you hard earn money.

A simple example can be Immunization, which is considered preventive care. This is because vaccines protect you and those around you from diseases like COVID-19, tetanus, measles, chicken pox, and seasonal flu.

However, preventive care can also assist in detecting health issues like diabetes, certain cancers, and high blood pressure in the early stage, when they are treatable.

The Indian government has launched the largest healthcare assurance scheme, the Ayushman Bharat health card; it offers health insurance to millions below the poverty line who can benefit from it. It is also providing access to free preventive care for them.

Let’s take a look at the example of preventive care-

·        Your annual checkup: In addition to a physical examination, your annual checkup may include important screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other conditions.

·        Cancer screenings: When diseases are in their earliest, most treatable stages, most people do not experience symptoms. Because of this, screenings should be done periodically throughout your life. For instance, both men and women should begin colorectal cancer screenings at the age of 45. Pap tests and mammograms are two additional types of women’s preventive screenings. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests may be suggested for men to check for prostate cancer.

·        Immunizations for children: include hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, and MMR (mumps and rubella) vaccinations.

·        Immunizations for adults: include tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis boosters and vaccinations against pneumococcal conjugate and shingles.

·        Your annual flu shot: Getting a flu shot can cut your risk of getting the flu by as much as 60%. In addition, getting the vaccine can significantly lower your risk of developing severe flu symptoms that could require hospitalization if you get the flu.

We all think, why waste money on all these checkups when we seem all fit and fab? Let me tell you the best part, most preventive healthcare services won’t cost you any money. Yes, you read it right; most preventive care services included are covered in your health insurance for which you are already paying.

What doesn’t count as preventive care?

Keep in mind that preventive care begins before a problem is discovered. Therefore, depending on your health, the same service may or may not be billed as preventative care.

For instance, a colonoscopy as a colorectal cancer screening is considered preventive, even if polyps or tissue samples are removed during the procedure. However, because additional follow-up care is not considered preventive and requires other procedures or treatments to remove additional growths or treat cancer, you may incur out-of-pocket expenses.

Examples of non-preventive care:

· Visits private doctors for general health issues, like the common cold or the flu, seasonal allergies, rashes, and minor injuries.

· Based on your insurance coverage, certain appointments with specialists like dermatologists, allergists, or cardiologists.

· Screenings and diagnostic tests to learn more about a known or suspected medical condition.

Why is Preventive Care Important?

The most important thing you can do to control your health is to get regular care. Preventable risk factors include many of the most common causes of illness and death before it occurs.

When you have the information and direction of a healthcare provider, it is easier to choose healthy habits. A thorough physical examination is the first step. Additionally, your doctor will inquire in depth about your medical history, including whether any members of your immediate family have experienced particular issues.

For instance, taking preventative measures like quitting smoking, staying healthy, exercising regularly, and taking other steps can significantly lower your risk of getting sick or dying too soon. These risk factors can be eliminated or reduced with the help of effective healthy lifestyle strategies from your doctor.

Finally, preventive health care helps detect and treat chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure early on. Early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of complications and lead to better long-term outcomes. It can also help you make lifestyle changes that will improve your overall health, such as quitting smoking, managing stress, and eating a healthy diet.

Regardless of your age or health status, preventive care can help you stay healthy and live longer. By scheduling screenings and checkups, you can increase your chances of catching health issues early, when they’re more likely to be treatable.

Create your Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and get preventive health services for free. Make sure to get the care you need today for a healthier tomorrow!

Conclusion

While you may be unable to control every medical condition, with preventive health care, you may reduce the risk of serious illness. Taking the time to go for preventive care checkups can protect your health and save you from a lot of physical, emotional, and financial pain in the future.

Preventive healthcare can help you proactively manage your health and save money by avoiding costly medical treatments. So, don’t wait until it’s too late and start taking preventive healthcare measures immediately.

Take advantage of preventive health care to stay healthy and enjoy life to its fullest. The more you invest in preventive care now, the better your health will be later. Be sure to see a doctor before you are sick: Prevention is the best medicine.

Photo by CDC on Unsplash (Source)