Benefits of Preventative Healthcare

Primary healthcare in the UK is largely reactive, which means only visiting a GP when an illness or health issue arises. Yet many medical conditions could be detected earlier, managed better, and even prevented, by following a proactive healthcare plan. 

The World Health Organisation, (WHO), estimates that at least 80% of all heart diseases, stroke and type 2 diabetes could be prevented and that up to 50% of all cancers are preventable. Statistics like these clearly signal a greater need for preventative healthcare. But what is it and why does it matter?

Reactive versus preventative:

Reactive healthcare leaves clinicians and patients waiting until after symptoms appear. For example, you may visit a GP if you have a fever or general body aches and pains. Symptoms appear, an ailment occurs and then we react. 

Reactive healthcare is necessary yet these types of visits to the GP are less likely to flag underlying conditions such as hypertension, kidney disease, and diabetes. For instance, did you know that over half a million people in the UK have diabetes without knowing it? And more than 4 million people have undiagnosed blood pressure. These figures would be significantly lower if a preventative healthcare approach was practiced more widely. 

Preventative healthcare is about the measures that you can take today to avoid any potential health issues tomorrow. It helps to keep people well for longer by focusing on prevention rather than cure. Almost every illness and chronic disease are easier to manage in its earlier stages. It is far more effective to avert a health crisis than it is to react to one.

Key benefits of preventative healthcare:

• Earlier detection of underlying illnesses and medical conditions.
• Helps clinicians get closer to patients to more effectively plan for a healthier future.
• Clinicians interact with patients more frequently, building trust.
• Less duplication. Patients don’t have to repeat themselves to GPs enabling more time to care.
• Access to regular health checks.
• Helps to build a long-term personalised health plan taking into account family history and other health risks.
• Reduces acute hospital admissions and ‘out of hours’ care.
• Patients receiving preventative healthcare describe high levels of satisfaction.

Preventative healthcare through regular health checks:

Annual health screenings are vital when it comes to being proactive and staying on top of your health. Health screenings are thorough and highly personalised as our GPs and clinicians believe in understanding you and your health within the context of your lifestyle and family history.

Whilst we can’t live completely risk free when it comes to our health, we can at least take control and do our best to reduce these risks. Preventative healthcare will not only extend your life but will promote happiness and wellbeing.