In health you sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees. The focus is on the problem that is presenting, and not always the cause or future problems.
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Unfortunately, most people only visit the dentist or the GP when they feeling ill or have a complaint. Yet, the focus needs to be on preventative health.
St.Luke’sHealth Tasmanian Health Report, released as part of the TCCI Tasmania Report 2018 roadshow with economist Saul Eslake, decided to focus on the 25-to-34 years age group.
This was a deliberate decision. The notion being preventative health could be applied now in an effort to ease pressure on our health system into the future.
There were some surprises and some expected answers. Mental health was an anticipated response. It is one of the major issues for many generations and a real issue in Tasmania at present.
Surprisingly unprotected sex and brushing teeth only once a day are also issues for this age bracket. It’s hard to fathom the latter issues.
Much like smoking, it’s believed that youth are being taught the importance of safe sex through school programs.
And dental hygiene taught during the early years of primary school.
The assumption that this messaging is effective will need to be examined based on this information.
We also need more community action for preventative health.
People need to seek medical advice before they become sick. This could be in the form of a yearly check-up with a dentist and a doctor.
We can’t wait to become sick. Tasmania can’t afford for this to happen.
There must be a shift of thinking where we look towards prevention.
The same way we put on sunscreen or wear a hat before heading outside – we need to look at health as a holistic approach not just when we feel under the weather.
Unless more funds are injected into preventative health and the community’s attitude changes to when we seek a health expert’s advice – we will always be looking for a cure rather than prevention.
