MHM Magazine

• Tertiary prevention:  to limit the impact of ongoing, chronic illness, or impairment Pointing to the success of disincentives to unhealthy lifestyles, such as “sin taxes”, and incentives such as discounts and loyalty rewards for exercise and healthy food purchases, she says “such measures for promoting health and preventing disease should be extended to the public sector, and would be ‘significantly more affordable’ than the NHI.” “Ensuring access to healthcare is a social and government responsibility, but this needs to go along with the promotion of health, which goes beyond the health system to entrenching health as a shared social value, and this is the task of all those involved in shaping and influencing values – families, schools, the media and the legal system.”  She emphasises that governments need to think beyond simply the accessibility and funding of healthcare, to the quality of the health care as well as “getting the basics right” in terms of addressing poverty and unemployment, health promotion and prevention strategies, and safe and healthy living environments. “Citizens on the other hand need to take care of themselves, not only physically but mentally too. Undiagnosed mental health can negatively affect your physical health leading to substance abuse, obesity and eating disorders.” Prof Schoeman suggests that everyone takes responsibility for their own health through: • Regular exercise (at least 30 minutes a day) • Following a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed sugars and fats • Stop smoking and avoid the use of drugs • Limit alcohol • Prioritise sleep (at least 7 hours a night) • Limit screentime • Seek help for physical and mental health issues as soon as they arise. References available on request. MHM | 2024 | Volume 11 | Issue 2 | What is our right to health? World Health Day MHM 26 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2024 | I sue 2 H