PUBH6006 Community Health and Disease Prevention

One preventable health concern that I am interested in is influenza, commonly known as the flu. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus and can cause mild to severe illness, and even death in some cases.

There are several ways to prevent the flu, including getting an annual flu vaccine, washing hands frequently, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.

Despite the availability of preventive measures, the flu still causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially among vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Therefore, raising awareness about the importance of flu prevention and increasing access to vaccines and other preventive measures are critical in reducing the burden of this preventable health concern.