Primary Health Care

Capturing the essence of transitions, may you find time to reflect on what is happening in the world of Health Care. There is every reason to believe that we can “enhance” the lives of others, and the health of the planet. With advancements in technology bring us better and faster to process our worlds and our communications, we can change “ecological footprints” and we can improve quality of life, through focus on the determinants of health.

As North America transitions through the “wake-up-call” that is calling for a new global economic order, one of the primary objectives, is to embrace the Primary Health Care solutions that are represented in a “Wellness Model”. Through prevention and health promoting lifestyles, there will be less infrastructure required for hospitals, and we will need less health human resources. This is the only approach that makes any sense. There are the few who think the status quo, is adequate, but agenda, this is a mind-set that faces extinction. Let us come together as a Primary Health Care Collaborative. Please find in the content of this blog, the very solutions I speak of…inclusive of the Pages posted to the right of the page here.

As markets surge and plummet as if the “high seas”, many are hangin’ on for dear life, others feelin’ a bit sea sick. There is plenty of reason, to “stay the course” knowing there had to be rough waters in the open seas (open global markets). If one is looking for “recession proof’ investment, one should never underestimate the tide that is shifting, in health care. Truly “water” and food sources will be last ‘valued’ commodity that will continue to be the ones that are all about survival, while “health and wellness” will be desired for “thrival”.

If we look at what the “tide” is consistent of (a sea of aging boomers) many are suggesting a “tsunami” is just about ready to crash the shores…and the most negative of doomsayers, are suggesting that there will be few survivors…only the thrivers.

So are you a “thriver”…have you investing in your own health and wellness to make it through any crisis and any short-fall. Realize this, that if only the strong survive, we are seeing “epidemics”, silent of otherwise sneak up on the vulnerable …and metaphorically they are swept out to sea, if they do not have a life preserver.

What am I actually saying is. There has been the financial (credit) crisis, that was not so predicable, yet not surprising, and we have seen the tip of the iceberg as far a the ecological crisis. Even if we wanted to press on (or could possibly afford to, health wise)…the Carbon Crisis (possible peak oil…leading to greater usage of coal, rather than less) will take many out to sea. Those that cannot afford health insurance…and subjected to higher pollution, contamination of water sources and or increase infectious disease…their life savings will be lost…possibly loss of life (or at least ability to continue to work).

Increasing unemployment coupled with “hard times” from the job loss, home loss, family stability loss (through increased divorce and separation) leads to social instability…and a breakdown of the “social safety net”. If economic downturn leads to layoffs of civil servants (police, fire, EMS health care in the field (ambulances, hospitals), then we may see the sicking of the Titanic, if you catch my drift.

This is why we need for the powerful, politicians and those with capital (investors), to consider that solutions inherent in Primary Health Care. First off, primary health care is about prevention, and wellness. It curtails the sick and ailing, that may need services from the public civil services (doctors and nurses, along with those mentioned). The beautiful part about investing in wellness, is that those that become unemployed can cope…those “aging” but laid off, can find new employment, and even self-employment as a consultant in their specialty. Primary Health Care practices (and the health systems that could be practicing PHC) could do much more with less. What I mean by this is, the best solution to the shortage of doctors and nurses is plain, simple and saves massive amounts of money. Reduce the need for them, through prevention.

The wellness movement, is strong…and may even be picking up in the face of economic downturn and uncertainty. People are going, where the feel better. The are performing the self-care advocacy that is needed by going to the spa, or massgae therapy or Yoga class, because they need more than ever to de-stress. This is what I am saying that Wellness and Primary Health Care are recession proof investments. Need I say more about this? If you are not convinced, and desire a debate that will lead to you finding the best place to invest…or would like to meet one practitioner, that will help you to feel better, and “do better”, health wise and wealth wise…click here or call 519-854-2528

BE wise, BE well,

Dave, founder of Optimal Wellness and Cardiofit for the health of it

The road less travelled, but the one we should be on… these were potential titles for new works (book chapters perhaps).

Hi,

If you are reading this, I would be left to wonder, which title would catch your eye and pique your curiosity the most.

To be honest I let them both stand as I think, they carry the double impact, quite nicely.

Is this about water? Our drinking water? Our safety? Our health, or our public health safety net?

Well yes, it is. In a metaphorical and philosophical way, we think of what is important are those things that are relevant to us personally. London and all of Ontario even, have had their concerns about water safety. We know that water is an “essential element” in our lives and it goes without saying. We are “nowhere” but in for some hard times without water…in for some nasty outcomes, illness for some, long term consequences for others, loss of life for the most unfortunate (often the most vulnerable who should not be so neglected).

This is an issue that falls under the philosophy of Primary Health Care. This is the road less traveled of which I speak. Few have either a complete understanding or for some, a correct understanding of what Primary Health Care theory includes. Thinking back, some may remember, the World Health Organization introduced health promotion concepts that most countries applauded. (anyone remember Alma Ata 1978 ). Canadians held their heads with pride as the Ottawa Charter of Health Promotion was released in 1986. The premise of supportive environments toward re-orienting health services, building community development from the “grass-roots” up…well we say “participaction” and other efforts get introduced, but the support (governments, health care organizations, even the “professionals”), veered back on the road of the status quo,…and we have seen the outcomes, Walkerton, SARS, Drug-resistent VRE, MRSA, C-Diff…then Listeria, beat out “politics” for the headlines. Lead in the pipes, has become a faded notion of worry.

The road less traveled, this Primary Health Care, heavy tauted as the Health Reform solution of the Romanow Report (2002),is different than what we see right now. Right now, Primary Care dominates. Primary Care, that visit to the ER, to the medical clinic, to the Chiropractor or the Massage Therapist. That represents Primary Care ( the first point of contact with the Health care system of choice). One really big issue with Primary Care. You are not the boss of your health, really, you are “in the hands” of a practitioner. This is dependent on whether you want “covered” (non-payment) care …hospital or physician, or whether you have the benefits or money to afford any other choice. This choice issue I speak of, violates principles of Primary Health Care  (which is all about social justice…equity, availability, access…and health promotion, through choice and participation that is affordable and technologically astute). Primary Health Care is all about community development, and what the public defines as health, and self-care advocacy. Primary Health Care is a Wellness Model…and targets prevention…and has built in “safety-nets’ for public health. No up-standing and compassionate community would let there be “vulnerable populations” that get neglected. Everyone’s whole purpose for living is about a legacy, that promotes the health and wellbeing, the healing and the wholeness of the family, the community, the corporations within that community, and every single individual. Again I say, Primary Health Care is about social Justice. Primary Health care is also Green…and about striving to be greener. What more could you want…not a yellow brick road, but one paved in Green.

So, You are invited to a Forum, a public forum…a Town hall meetin’ if you will, on Primary Health Care and Green Wellness Solutions.

I do trust you care enough for this community, care for our families, our children, grand-kids, and the grand-kids of our grandkids.

Think about it, but more than think about it, take action. The action you can take right now is to scheduled this date and time, on your calender or phone.

Don’t miss out on your chance to live a legacy…Primary health care is everyone’s business…everyone’s road to be on.

Stay tuned for up coming dates and “venues” you will be invited to “share in the CARE” Collaboration Always Rewards Everyone

Dave Scratch from Optimal Wellness