Staying Safe

Never have we seen a more urgent need for steps to prevent harms. These harms run a spectrum like we have never seen in modern times. When saying they run a spectrum, it crosses a wide range of age groups and unique populations, as well as a range of causes.

Some are viral, but not all have either a vaccine or cure. Yes, there is several forms of treatments, but as we see with one, we can see in another, as far as prevention being one of our best ways to slow or stop.

In these times, there are multiple health crises

Stopping may be a bridge too far, with prevention efforts alone, but it is shown to make a significant difference.

Whether it is safe consumption of substances, vaccines for some viral infections, or treatment for hep C. Treating and curing people who are most likely to pass hep C to others will slow new hep C. No, it will not make it disappear, but it can make a significant difference. This is prevention.

Currently we see people who are at elevated risk for all or most across that spectrum, and that is not even including the emotional and mental health effects for all, including people who are working on the front lines to include care providers in families, as well as those they are caring for.

Education and personal choices are critical

These are big challenges indeed, and some of us will not do the things we are told will help. This is not a new thing, despite the urgency that has and will be expressed by others.

Trust plays a role, as does a bucket full of other factors, but whatever the reason, it will not be adopted by everyone and I think that we just have to be realistic about just how much any one of us can do in this area of endeavor. It is like when someone is told over and over again that something is dangerous or bad for their health, yet they continue to do it. For some of us who may be older, we remember how often we were told not to smoke or do drugs or run with scissors, or whatever real or perceived threat that we were being told DO NOT DO THIS!

Well, many of us went ahead and did it despite the warning. Was it safe? Not always, but in some cases, we just had to learn that all on our own despite the peer pressure or our obstinance and rebellious nature. In time, some messages did make a difference. The only one I can point to that has worked is smoking cigarettes. The percentage of people who smoke has decreased substantially since the 1950’s when just about everyone over 12 did smoke, and everywhere.

Was it fear that tipped the scales? I don’t think so, I think it was awareness and education/knowledge. Nobody went to jail or faced severe consequences other than the long-term effects of smoking. We learned and eventually believed that it was not good for our health; simply.

It has made a difference with hep C too. Better understanding and education around hep C have made incremental differences, and along with a safer and easier treatment option, things have and will improve the long-term outcome for millions.