Health Science: My Personal Experience with the Public Health Pillar

I am Carlos Hidalgo, and I am not one of those who talk about theory without having experienced it firsthand. Today I'm going to tell you about health science, a term that I'm sure you've heard somewhere, but what does it really mean? What many do not know is that health science is not only for doctors or researchers in white coats, it is something that touches us all. It is that set of disciplines that keep the healthcare system functioning. And believe me, I've been through enough consultations and treatments to know what I'm talking about. Join me on this journey, because health science is much more than you think.

What is Health Science?

When we hear "health science", it sounds like something technical and far away. But let me explain it clear and simple: it is the basis of everything we do to take care of public health. In practical terms, it is the sciences that analyze and solve health problems in society. This ranges from disease prevention, early diagnosis, to the treatment of complex and common conditions. Have you ever thought about who researches why we get sick? Or who designs vaccination protocols, or how epidemics are prevented? All that is health science. It's the backbone of our well-being.

If I'm honest, I never gave it much thought until I found myself with health problems. That's when health science changes your life. Because the first thing you think is, "This can't be happening to me." And that's where doctors, nurses, researchers come in, all working like a Swiss watch, thanks to advances in health science.

The Importance of Prevention

I'm going to say something that may sound obvious, but many people forget: prevention is the best medicine. And healthcare science knows this. One of the big focuses of this field is preventing people from getting sick before it's too late. This is where vaccination campaigns, hygiene protocols and all those recommendations you hear about but many choose to ignore come into play.

I'll tell you a personal case. A few years ago, a close relative fell ill from something that could have been prevented with a simple vaccine. That's where you understand the power of health science. What seems like simple or unimportant advice can make the difference between life and death. And I'm not exaggerating.

Preventionis the first bastion of health science, and although we don't always notice it, it's everywhere: from promoting healthy habits, such as eating right and exercising, to controlling communicable diseases.

Health Science and Diagnosis

But what happens when prevention isn't enough? This is where diagnostic capability, another key piece of healthcare science, comes in. In my experience, a good diagnosis in time can change everything. And that would not be possible without the advances that this science has brought over the years.

I'll give you a concrete example: a few years ago, I had a problem that was driving me crazy. I visited several doctors, but they could not find what I had. It was thanks to advances in diagnostic imaging (thank you, health science!) that they were finally able to identify my problem and put me on the right treatment.

Timely diagnosisis one of the most developed areas of health science, and for good reason. Technology advances and with it the ability to detect diseases that previously would have gone unnoticed until it was too late. Today, we can detect diseases accurately long before they present serious symptoms, which greatly improves the chances of effective treatment.

The Role of Epidemiology

Another field that I cannot fail to mention is epidemiology, a discipline that also belongs to health science and that, honestly, is the one that impresses me the most. It is the one in charge of studying how diseases spread in populations and how to prevent them. It is like a public health detective! Since COVID-19 swept the world, the work of epidemiologists is more valued than ever, but what not everyone knows is that they have always been there, protecting us without us even realizing it.

I remember when I used to hear about diseases like dengue or flu, and I never gave it much thought. But now I know that health science and epidemiologists are on the front line, tracking outbreaks, finding patterns and, most importantly, preventing pandemics. It is not a simple job, but it is vital.

Public Health and Health Policies

Something that often escapes us is that public health is more than a matter of doctors and hospitals. In reality, it is a whole system that involves governments, institutions and society in general. And behind it all is, once again, health science.

Health policies, which are those laws and measures that are taken to protect our health, are not pulled out of the sleeve. They are based on studies, statistics and data that health science generates. For example, vaccination campaigns, tobacco control or measures taken to fight climate change and its impact on health, are the product of the work of health scientists. And sometimes we don't even notice it!

Health Science: A Global Tool

If I'm honest, a few years ago the importance of public health on a global level wouldn't even have crossed my mind. But having lived in various parts of the world, you realize that the realities of each country are different. Health science is the bridge that unites nations in the struggle for a healthier world. Research in one country benefits others, and vice versa. And what is clear is that health has no borders.

For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) is one of the great engines driving health science around the planet. Thanks to its work and that of thousands of professionals, it manages to control epidemics, promote prevention campaigns and, above all, improve the living conditions of millions of people.

Final Reflection

My experience with health science has been a journey of discovery. From those early years where I had no idea what it meant, to now, when I can say with certainty that it is a fundamental pillar for the well-being of humanity. prevention, diagnosis and public health are not empty terms; they are the foundation that keeps us healthy and allows us to live longer and better.

So the next time you hear about health science, remember that it is present in your life more than you think. From the vaccine you got as a child to the hygiene protocols we follow to prevent disease, it's all there, working for you, even if you don't always see it.

So the next time you hear about health science, remember that it's in your life more than you think.