loading…
The application of the concept of risk reduction (harm reduction) is considered important and urgent in order to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Indonesia and their serious impact. Photo/illustration/sindonews
Chairman of the Indonesian Risk Awareness Society (MASINDO) Dimas Syailendra said reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their impacts requires the active role of all stakeholders, from the government, communities, to the community. It aims to recognize and be aware of the triggering factors for non-communicable diseases and convey information regarding ways to reduce the risk of these diseases and their implementation.
“The high mortality rate due to non-communicable diseases cannot be separated from the low public awareness of the causes of the disease and ways to reduce the risk of the disease. Therefore, let’s make World Health Day which falls this month to rebuild awareness of the triggering factors and their risk reduction actions,” said Dimas.
According to Dimas, regardless of how good the health facilities in a country are, the concept of risk reduction, which prioritizes prevention methods by implementing a minimal risk lifestyle, will be much more effective in maintaining people’s health and life expectancy. “We know that prevention is always better than cure,” he said.
Also Read: Effective Vaccines Prevent Infectious Diseases
One of the risk reduction behaviors that can be applied is to stop smoking. As is known, cigarette consumption, which goes through the combustion process, triggers the formation of various dangerous chemical compounds that have the potential to cause various diseases. Smoking is one of the risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, Dimas realizes that quitting smoking completely is not an easy thing to do.
Therefore, adult smokers may consider using alternative tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine bags for switching if it is difficult to quit immediately. As is known, a number of studies reveal alternative tobacco products can reduce the risk of up to 90%-95% than cigarettes. Thus, adult smokers who switch to using alternative tobacco products can reduce the risk of tobacco use while reducing the risk of developing non-communicable diseases.
“Currently technology is very advanced, there are various choices of alternative tobacco products which have been scientifically proven to have a much smaller risk profile than cigarettes. Adult smokers who have difficulty quitting can use this product as an alternative to fulfilling their nicotine intake while reducing the risks and externalities they face,” added Dimas.
On a separate occasion, Chairperson of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) Nurul Falah Eddy Pariang said several countries have proven that the risk reduction concept approach has a positive impact on public health, particularly related to non-communicable diseases. However, the lack of research related to this concept causes limited information.
As a result, the government as policy makers and role models as well as the community as implementers do not get accurate information and have to deal with impending impacts. Therefore, research related to this concept and its implementation needs to be encouraged.
According to Nurul, without research, it will be difficult to draw conclusive conclusions in order to maximize the application of risk reduction approaches for public health. “Therefore, all relevant parties must be one voice and be serious in encouraging qualified research and disseminating the results. If necessary, special policies will be carried out so that this concept can be understood and applied by the community for a greater purpose to improve public health and life expectancy due to non-communicable diseases,” he explained.
(hr)
–
