Prevention and health care require the active cooperation of each individual. There are many starting points that make it possible to do something for your own health. Prevention includes reducing risk factors as well as promoting positive factors that strengthen the body against negative influences. In addition, an increase in psychological and social well-being is also important.
Prevention requires information
First and foremost is information – only if I know what is good and harmful for me, I can change something about it. Good places to start are family doctors – they can give advice and help, and often refer people to other contacts. In addition, doctors are also the ones responsible for preventive medical care, such as check-ups and cancer screenings, and of course they are also there to help patients if they are already ill.
Health insurance companies now offer a wide range of information events, seminars and courses, participation in which is often sweetened with bonus points. The state is also involved in many projects and information campaigns – a good overview is provided, for example, by the Internet offerings of the relevant ministries such as the Federal Ministry of Health.
Exercise, diet, everyday working life: important factors in prevention.
- An important role is played by exercise – paired with training of endurance, strength and stretching. Often it is easier in a group to overcome the inner pig dog – many clubs, adult education centers and similar institutions offer health-oriented sports programs for prevention.
- Another important building block is the diet – also there are numerous opportunities to change something in their own lifestyle together with other people and under professional guidance. A role model function have the parents – what they exemplify their children, decisively shapes their behavior. A health-conscious designed everyday life with exercise and a balanced diet is adopted as a matter of course as regular tooth brushing and visits to the dentist.
- For prevention in everyday working life, company doctors are primarily responsible. According to the Occupational Safety Act, there is a legal obligation for companies – depending on the type of business and the number and composition of employees – to appoint company doctors. They not only advise the employer on occupational safety and accident prevention issues, but are also available to employees for examinations and consultations. For example, under their guidance, the workplace can be designed as health-friendly and ergonomic as possible.
