Primary Health Care

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

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