Did you know that health is wealth? The secret of happiness is arguably good health! It is common in recent times, seeing some people looking for wealth but paying less attention to healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, wealth cannot buy health but with good lifestyle practices, you are much safer, and one gets to know good health practices by acquiring information from health professionals as well as credible health online site. Today, let discuss the essence of being aware of our personal health in today’s society. I am Kwasi Omaro Mohammed Musah, a health care provider at Korle-Bu Teaching, and a graduate communicator from Ghana Institute of Journalism as well as a candidate (MA in Development Communication) in the same school.
According to the WHO, ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental, social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. It is important to know about our health as well as being responsible for it due to the following reasons; 1.Higher likelihood of life longitivtiy. 2. Prevention of avoidable deaths through early detection of some disease. 3. Religious requirements ( Holy Bible and Holy Quran).
Dr. Charles Mayo (1990) explained that when we eat nutritious diet, we build good immune system, this protects us against disease. Below is his (Dr. Charles Mayo) quote.
We’re all afraid of germs…….. but what we should be afraid of is lowered resistance which comes from within……… Normal resistance to disease is directional dependent upon adequate food. It never comes of pill boxes….. Adequate food is the cradle of normal resistance, the playground of normal immunity, the workshop of good health and the laboratory of long life
Dr. Charles Mayo (1990)
Ourworldindata.org in 2016 pointed out that most causes of death in the world is Non Communicable Disease (NCD) accounting 70% deaths (WHO, 2016). NCD such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease and others are mostly lifestyle related diseases. It is therefore necessary to search for basic principles of lifestyle in order to achieve good health to live longer as the Creator has given us. Lifestyle practices are about diet, activities of daily living etc. My respected readers, Tom Damour (2002) once whispered that we can protect our health to live longer by changing the way we think about food, this is one secret about good health!
Why do people get sick? Sickness is not a natural state of being. Learn how to protect your health by changing the way you think about food
Tom Damour (2002)
In addition, knowing about our health helps us to be health-conscious such that avoidable deaths are prevented. If you are concerned about your health, and valued it more than wealth, you cultivate the habit of regular medical check-ups at least every three to six months within the year. This will help early detection of a recessive disease, and as the adage goes; “early detection saves life”. This comes into play because early detection leads to early treatment, and this can save our life. My learned readers, it is also very important to report early at the hospital if we observe unusual signs and symptoms in our everyday health because early detection leads to early treatment which will save our life.
Last but not least respected readers, it is a religious requirement especially from the Christianity and Islamic perspectives to be responsible for our health. From the Holy Bible, Romans 14:17 which says “the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit while it is very important to make sure we nourish our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, it is critical that Christians keep their focus on the spiritual” then Deuteronomy 30:19 says “ I have set before you, life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live”.
Colleagues and Senior colleagues, when you also look at 1Corinthians 6:20 which reads that “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”. It is our responsibility to live a righteous life to fulfil what the Holy Bible says.
The Holy Quran in Chapter 2:168 says that “eat of what’s lawful and wholesome on earth”, then when you read same chapter down to 172, it reads that “eat the good things which we have provided for you”. Another interesting verse in the Holy Quran is Quran 2:195 which says “and make not your own hands contribute to your own destruction (harm)”. My dear readers, a word to the wise is enough! Kindly expect my next article titled “ Did God create Sickness?”
I acknowledged the following people for their massive contributions on this article; Mr. Hayford Loiuse ( Public Relations Expert), Mr. Mahmoud Issahaku (Nursing Officer at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital), and Mr. Segtub Martins ( Lecturer at Ghana Institute of Journalism). Thank you.
Kwasi Omaro 