Canada Values Health

Do we need to protect the health of others more? 2009-03-09 09:21:34

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"Can public education reduce costs? There is a “grin and bear it” attitude about common viral infections in our culture: People are expected to go to work or school or run to the mall despite risk of spreading the illness. Children's birthday parties never get cancelled. Family gatherings go on as usual. The list doesn't end of things people prioritize higher than public health. Would there be a net cost benefit if people lost more time from work, more time from school and some very expensive marketing campaign was waged on turning the current attitude around 180 degrees?"

- A CanadaValuesHealth.ca visitor



Your responses
More public education
blynn
Posted: 2009-03-12 11:45:55

There should be lots of public education on things like not going to work when you have specific symptoms, making sure employers enforce this, etc.  I work in healthcare and am frustrated when staff come to work sick - it does pass a risk on to patients who are especially vulnerable.  The "Bugs and Drugs" campaign I think has helped, so repeated simple messages would be beneficial on other things.