Health Experts Urge Shift to Prevention, Confronting Public Resistance
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – Public health officials are increasingly emphasizing preventative measures to improve overall health and reduce strain on healthcare systems, but face a significant challenge: public perception that such measures feel like unwarranted intrusion into personal choices. This “prevention paradox” – were broad preventative action yields the greatest health gains, yet individuals question the need for change given their own perceived low risk – is a key hurdle, according to Professor Frank van Lenthe of Erasmus MC.
Van Lenthe,speaking on the lifestyle lab podcast ‘The health gap between RAM & Rijk,’ highlighted the difficulty in conveying the benefits of population-level interventions. “People think: ‘Yes, but why do I have to live healthier if I have a small chance of health problems?'”
The discussion points to potential government interventions, such as mandating healthier supermarket layouts and implementing taxes on unhealthy products like sugary drinks. Though, these proposals are likely to encounter resistance from both citizens and industry lobbyists, who prioritize profit.
Recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of preventative health.While severe obesity presented the highest risk of hospitalization, a significant proportion of hospitalizations involved individuals with overweight, demonstrating the broader impact of weight on public health.
Political perspectives on prevention also differ. Left-progressive parties tend to view prevention as a collective responsibility, while right-wing parties emphasize individual choice. Van Lenthe invites open discussion on these issues, acknowledging the need for nuanced approaches and a willingness to consider diverse viewpoints.
(Source: Erasmus MC, archive. Photo: Shutterstock. Listen to the podcast hear. Read more: The importance of prevention: from treating disease preventing disease)
