Importance of Prevention

Serena Cuoghi
Title of Professor of Biology

Consciously avoiding situations that may represent a risk to life is what we know as prevention, which is why this term is widely applicable in each of the aspects that correspond both to our own existence and to the various factors and phenomena of nature itself, and prevention can be considered as a tool to control and reduce unwanted consequences in areas such as: 1) the Physical Health; 2) mental health; 3) working conditions; 4) natural and atmospheric events; 5) environmental changes resulting from our activities; and 6) the social dynamics themselves; with the direct purpose of safeguarding the integrity of both humans and other living beings.

In this sense, assuming the importance of prevention means directing ourselves towards adopting viable lifestyles, with the purpose of developing a strong, stable and healthy mentality that allows them to face the challenges that arise in daily life, through the achievement of a conscious state of mind and attentive to their own and external events that may represent a potential source of risk, based on making assertive and timely decisions through which to develop a greater sense of control over one's life, thus improving its quality and well-being comprehensive.

spatial awareness

Considering that spatial awareness is the ability to understand and use information related to the position, movement, and distance between objects, people and places and therefore, this complex ability allows us to orient ourselves in a space and locate ourselves in relation to our environment, we cannot ignore it as essential element, for the development of adequate prevention of the various circumstances by which we can be affected in a physical space certain.

In the prevention of disasters and accidents, with greater emphasis in the field of occupational risk, spatial awareness is the main resource stimulated in the workers of any company, since the slightest mental miscalculation in the distances and positions of the surrounding elements with respect to the person, They can end up directing you to suffer a work accident, ranging from a simple minor incident to the loss of life, both of the person himself and from third parties.

This dynamic of actions and reactions that not only affect the individual but also everything that surrounds him, has been sufficient motivation to see the imminent need to also incorporate social factors for the development of prevention dynamics and strategies, adopting social dynamics towards the development of healthier and more efficient interpersonal relationships that allow the resolution of conflicts and needs in more favorable ways for all.

avoiding misfortunes

But not only work environments must be safer spaces, also homes and other places in which we interact, including nature itself and society in general, we We are permanently exposed to a large number of risk factors that we must detect and evaluate in time, in order to make the right decisions that can keep us safe.

Situations such as insecurity caused by crime in various sectors and geographic areas of cities, require us to be cautious when establishing our own transit routes and schedules, in order to prevent the potential fact of being victims of some raider.

In the same way, the development of urban planning and various constructions must consider sufficient elements of prevention in terms of natural phenomena that can cause real misfortune to large populations, as often happens with unfortunate frequency as a result of the lack of correct policies of prevention in natural catastrophes, that although it is true, little or nothing is what they can do to control the force of nature, much is what they are capable of to contribute to the minimization of material damage and human losses, if they were developed and implemented correctly before the manifestation of the phenomena.

Health is first

In a somewhat more personal and intimate sense, prevention is a resource that allows us to anticipate the possibility of an event occurring that threatens the optimal conditions for the quality of life that we aspire to have, so that establishing healthy eating habits and exercise routines, while avoiding harmful habits, becomes an efficient way to prevent a large number of diseases in our body, however, the importance of prevention also It must be considered as a pillar in the maintenance of mental health, since there is a very wide variety of facts and elements that can affect our psyche, such as prolonged stress, poor management of emotions and the lack of resorting to the necessary support when required, as well as exposure to chemical agents and incorrect or unnecessary medications, among many other factors that could be combated before they unleash negative consequences on our mental health.

Therefore, education on disease prevention becomes essential for the development of efficient strategies that also protect the health of communities, allowing more effective epidemiological control and early detection of diseases.

References

Diaz, J. m. c. (2018). Occupational risk prevention techniques: safety and health at work. Editorial Tebar. Madrid Spain.

Salas, D., & Peiró, R. (2013). Evidence on cancer prevention. Spanish Journal of Prison Health, 15(2), 66-75.

Sozo, M. (2008). Insecurity, prevention and police (Vol. 4). Flacso-Ecuador Headquarters.