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Wishes for good health are at the top of the pile this Diwali.
Many people look at doctors for health advice. There is a danger in this as we practicing doctors are trained in different way.
A thread on origins of better health inspired by "via negativa" by @nntaleb
Wishes for good health are at the top of the pile this Diwali.
Many people look at doctors for health advice. There is a danger in this as we practicing doctors are trained in different way.
A thread on origins of better health inspired by "via negativa" by @nntaleb
Doctors are trained to diagnose and treat disease.
Unknown to most people, boundaries of normality are not absolute in most cases. Boundaries are open to being influenced by political (e.g. sexual preference) and financial (e.g. high blood pressure) vested interests.
Unknown to most people, boundaries of normality are not absolute in most cases. Boundaries are open to being influenced by political (e.g. sexual preference) and financial (e.g. high blood pressure) vested interests.
Due to curious human nature, clinicians find "causes" of illhealth in their daily work.
Entire branch of medicine is dedicated to this task - Preventive Medicine.
Clinicians are supposed trigger research that is taken to its appropriate conclusion by Preventive Med scientists.
Entire branch of medicine is dedicated to this task - Preventive Medicine.
Clinicians are supposed trigger research that is taken to its appropriate conclusion by Preventive Med scientists.
Most clinicians have no credible aptitude, training, means, and time to be independent scientists.
Work in preventive health has given us a clear path. I am sharing few well proven findings with you.
Work in preventive health has given us a clear path. I am sharing few well proven findings with you.
A short list of these preventive measures -
1. Safe environment ,food and water.
2. Preventing accidents on road, at work, schools and at home.
3. Control of firearms and poisons.
4. Good quality healthcare for pregnant women, children and safe childbirths.
5. Vaccination
1. Safe environment ,food and water.
2. Preventing accidents on road, at work, schools and at home.
3. Control of firearms and poisons.
4. Good quality healthcare for pregnant women, children and safe childbirths.
5. Vaccination
6. Abuse free childhood.
7. Equal opportunity and rule of law.
8. Well designed living and working spaces to promote healthy exercise and outdoors.
7. Equal opportunity and rule of law.
8. Well designed living and working spaces to promote healthy exercise and outdoors.
NONE of these are under control of doctors, even administering vaccines.
But all are derived from public health (physical and mental) research
But all are derived from public health (physical and mental) research
Preventive Health is government action. Scientists/Doctors can only give credible action plan.
Politicians struggling with pressure of winning elections need optics and massage of public sentiment.
That's where science and government part ways.
Leaders with vision, courage and most importantly , scientific temper are needed.
That's where science and government part ways.
Leaders with vision, courage and most importantly , scientific temper are needed.
Next time you or your loved ones are ill, try to think if it was a preventable condition (largely it is) and importantly -
Who is responsible for prevention?
Excessive medicalization of health only increases "iatrogenic problems" (google it) and sets up a vicious cycle.
Who is responsible for prevention?
Excessive medicalization of health only increases "iatrogenic problems" (google it) and sets up a vicious cycle.
YOU are also equally responsible to stay away from proven harm.
YOU and GOVERNMENT are major determinants of health and illness.
YOU and GOVERNMENT are major determinants of health and illness.
If you are looking for health ask your politicians.
We doctors are mere technicians fixing broken health within current scientific boundaries. And making a decent living out of it
Constructive criticism welcome.
We doctors are mere technicians fixing broken health within current scientific boundaries. And making a decent living out of it
Constructive criticism welcome.
