Unlocking Wellness: HEALTH पर चर्चा – Your Weekly Health Companion
Access to reliable health information is the key to personal empowerment. It enables individuals to make informed choices about their well-being, fostering advocacy not just for themselves but for their communities too. By promoting health awareness, we dispel myths and reduce the stigma surrounding certain conditions, creating a more supportive environment. Empowerment through trustworthy health information encourages proactive behaviour, improves health literacy, and eases the burden on healthcare systems. Empowered individuals are better equipped to deal with health challenges, ensuring overall well-being.
However, addiction remains an ongoing challenge, significantly affecting physical, mental, and social health. To tackle this issue, the Asian Coalition for Health Empowerment (ACHE), an initiative by the Indian Medical Academy for Preventive Health (IMAPH), presents ‘HEALTH पर चर्चा’– a Weekly Health Show. This platform aims to empower people with reliable health information, especially about various types of addictions, through insightful discussions, expert advice, and informative content.
‘HEALTH पर चर्चा’ brings together public health experts to address the growing problems of smartphone addiction, tobacco, alcohol, and drug addictions. This show aims to raise awareness, reduce harm, and accelerate the “Addiction Awareness” movement.
By addressing these crucial issues, we aim to contribute to a healthier and more informed society, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-3) on Doctor Against Addiction (DAAD).
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-3) in Doctor Against Addiction (DAAD)
The World Health Organization’s 2021 report highlights that harmful alcohol use results in 3 million deaths annually, while smoking claims over 8 million lives each year. Illicit drug use remains a critical public health concern, with the 2021 World Drug Report revealing that approximately 275 million people used drugs worldwide in the preceding year. In the digital age, mobile addiction has emerged as a new challenge, with reports indicating that teenagers in the US spend over seven hours daily on-screen entertainment. Achieving SDG-3 is an ongoing endeavour, demanding dedication, collaboration, awareness, policy changes, and effective harm reduction strategies to address these complex health issues.
The Need for De-addiction
The depth and breadth of these challenges necessitate a nuanced approach. ACHE recognizes the imperative to address addiction in all its various forms, be it nicotine dependence, alcoholism, substance abuse, or the captivating allure of smartphones. Our stance is one of hope—a beacon for individuals grappling with these issues. We champion de-addiction programs that are thoughtfully tailored to meet the unique needs of affected individuals.
Employing the Science of Harm Reduction: Embracing Global Strategies and Practices
In our unwavering quest to mitigate harm, we wholeheartedly embrace the Science of Harm Reduction—a comprehensive global framework that encompasses proven strategies and practices for reducing the adverse consequences of addiction. Our network of Key Scientific Opinion Leaders (KSOLs), consisting of public health experts and specialists, plays a pivotal role in educating individuals about the perils of addiction. This education now takes the form of informative webinars – ‘HEALTH पर चर्चा’.Smoking Cessation: The Ultimate Solution
At the heart of our vision is the prioritization of smoking cessation. India, home to over 100 million smokers, faces a daunting challenge. ACHE is dedicated to empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to break free addiction, following global best practices.
A study in the Journal of Addictive Behaviour reveals that smartphones affect the brain similarly to notorious drug. Approximately 0.5 million deaths each year are attributed to drug use worldwide.
Smoking tobacco causes approximately 8 million preventable deaths annually Harmful alcohol use results in 3 million annual deaths globally.
Over 80% of the world’s 1.4 billion tobacco users live in lower and middle-income countries Of the estimated 1.1 billion global smokers, over 100 million reside in India.
Drug overdose deaths increase by 30% each year, claiming over 96,700 lives annually.
Addictions have reached epidemic proportions. Addressing their impact and mitigating harm require a systematic approach, with public health experts playing a pivotal role. Their knowledge, educational efforts, and advocacy can empower individuals and guide policymakers towards effective health education strategies.
We invite you to join this initiative for ‘HEALTH पर चर्चा’.
Together, we can unlock wellness, one discussion at a time.
