Health awareness

Health awareness refers to a person’s awareness and attention to their own health and to health-promoting behaviour and lifestyle choices. It encompasses a person’s knowledge, attitudes and self-perception with regard to their physical, mental and social health. Strong health awareness manifests itself in active engagement with health issues, regular health checks, participation in preventive measures such as check-ups and vaccinations, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet, regular physical activity and stress management, and the avoidance of unhealthy behaviours such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Health awareness plays a crucial role in maintaining and promoting individual health and well-being, preventing illness and promoting a healthy lifestyle in society as a whole.

In addition, strong health awareness can increase health literacy and self-efficacy, which means that individuals are better able to manage their own health. At a societal level, high health awareness promotes public health by contributing to a reduction in the burden of disease and healthcare costs. Health awareness therefore not only has an individual but also a collective effect by improving the general level of health and quality of life in the community.

Increased health awareness can also lead to greater demand for health-promoting products and services, which in turn encourages companies and the healthcare industry to develop innovative solutions for healthier living. Education and awareness campaigns play an essential role in promoting health awareness by providing information and resources that make it easier for people to make healthy choices and develop health-conscious behaviour. Overall, strong health awareness contributes to both individual and societal health and well-being by promoting a culture of prevention and personal responsibility.

  • Jerich, L. (2016). Wellnessfaktor psychische Gesundheit: Gesundheitsförderung durch Ressourcenaktivierung. Springer.