April 7 marks the 75th Anniversary of World Health Day, an annual initiative of the World Health Organization, and this year we celebrate the ability to make decisions about our own health. Health is a fundamental human right. This means, everyone should have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them. It means that everyone has the right to privacy and confidentiality of their health information. It also means that everyone has the right to information about their treatment and to informed consent.
As we celebrate World Health Day, it's imperative to reflect on the fundamental notion that health is a human right. Access to healthcare, treatment, and information plays a pivotal role in realizing this right. In today's digital age, where information is readily accessible, safeguarding privacy, ensuring informed consent, and empowering individuals to make decisions about their health are paramount.
What is World Health Day?
World Health Day is an annual initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), which officially launched on April 7, 1950 (Fun fact: The WHO was founded on April 7, 1948, hence the annual April 7th celebration.) The goal of the day is to raise awareness around worldwide health issues and to motivate local governments, organizations, communities and individuals to take action to prioritize healthcare for all.
Health is a fundamental human right
In 2024, the WHO is dedicating April 7th to reminding everyone that the health of people across the globe is increasingly under threat. War, natural disasters, diseases, and air pollution are just a few of the many things the organization highlights as being reasons why people are finding it increasingly more difficult to live their healthiest lives. The hope is that this year’s theme will serve to accomplish goals like “championing the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information.”
Privacy and Confidentiality of Your Health Information
Privacy and confidentiality are cornerstone principles in healthcare. Your health information is deeply personal and should be safeguarded with the utmost care. In the digital era, where electronic health records and telemedicine are prevalent, ensuring the security of sensitive data becomes even more crucial.
Healthcare providers have a duty to implement robust privacy measures, including secure data storage, encryption, and access controls. By prioritizing patient privacy, healthcare organizations demonstrate their commitment to respecting individuals' rights and fostering trust in the healthcare system. When patients feel confident that their health information is safeguarded, they are more likely to engage openly with healthcare providers and actively participate in their care.
Information About Your Treatment and Informed Consent
Informed consent lies at the heart of patient autonomy and respects the individual's right to make decisions about their health. It involves providing comprehensive information about the proposed treatment, including its benefits, risks, alternatives, and potential outcomes. Armed with this knowledge, individuals can actively participate in decisions regarding their healthcare.
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in ensuring that patients are fully informed before consenting to any medical intervention. This involves clear communication, addressing patient concerns, and respecting their autonomy in decision-making. Whether it's discussing treatment options, potential side effects, or alternative therapies, every effort must be made to empower individuals to make well-informed choices.
Informed consent is not merely a formality but a fundamental ethical principle that underscores the importance of respecting individual autonomy and promoting shared decision-making in healthcare.
Making Decisions About Your Own Health
Empowering individuals to make decisions about their health is at the core of the "health is a human right" ethos. Each person is unique, with their own values, preferences, and circumstances. Recognizing this diversity is essential in tailoring healthcare interventions to meet individual needs effectively.
From choosing a treatment plan that aligns with your goals to actively participating in preventive care measures, the ability to make decisions about your health empowers you to take control of your well-being. Whether it's adopting a healthy lifestyle, seeking second opinions, or exploring alternative therapies, the autonomy to make choices that resonate with you is vital.
In a healthcare landscape that is increasingly patient-centered, initiatives aimed at promoting health literacy and shared decision-making are instrumental in empowering individuals to become active participants in their healthcare journey.
When it comes to health, knowledge is power
Many of us have let our mind wander to all these health what ifs. What if you’re one of the 6.8 million people that are walking around with an undiagnosed aneurysm? What if you have a tumor that you didn’t know about that finding out about could save your life? Wouldn’t it feel good to have the questions that keep us up at night answered and to be given some areas to improve upon that could help us become our healthiest selves? You deserve a full look at your health status to know what is going on in your entire body. With Prenuvo, you have the power to do this, with a whole body MRI that gives you a look at how your entire body is functioning – from your nervous system to your reproductive, skeletal, digestive system and beyond.
In less than an hour, one Prenuvo scan has the ability to detect hundreds of conditions, ranging from underlying causes of unexplained discomfort to previously undetected tumors. This can provide you with a baseline of your current health status to compare all future tests to. It can catch things like stage 1 tumors, before you even exhibit symptoms. It can provide you with peace of mind knowing that you have a clean bill of health. And most importantly, a Prenuvo scan enables you to walk away with actionable health data that allows you to proactively improve upon your own health situations – i.e. if your knee pain is the beginning stages of arthritis, switching from running to lower impact workouts may save you from years of pain down the line.
At Prenuvo, we believe that health is a human right. By empowering individuals to take control of their health through Prenuvo’s whole body MRI scan, individuals are able to gain comprehensive insights into their health status, enabling them to make informed decisions about their well-being. Any step towards better health is a win in the wellness department. But the more information you have about your own unique body, the better steps you can take to nurture it.
