Society and Your Health

Whatever health needs you have, you can be sure that there are people and products in the world that can help.

Health Service People

Many people contribute to the health needs and concerns of the local community.  In many communities, these people include:

Dentists - Dentists are doctors that are specially trained to care for your teeth.

GPs - General Practitioners (your family doctor) treat most common illnesses, and also check to see if you are growing and developing normally.

Naturopaths - A Naturopath only uses remedies and treatments found in nature, rather than manufactured, synthetic medicine.

Opticians - Opticians are doctors who are specially trained to care for your eyes.

Occupational Therapists - Occupational Therapists help children with disabilities to be as independent as possible.  They also help you if you’re going back to school after a long illness or severe injury.

Speech Therapists - A speech therapist is a person who helps people who have speech problems speak properly.

Psychiatrists or Psychologists - A psychiatrist is a doctor who is specially trained to help you with any feelings and thoughts that may be causing problems at home or at school.  They can help you figure things out so you can feel better.

Physical Therapists - Physical therapy uses exercises and other special treatments to help people make their bodies healthier and stronger.

Paediatricians - A paediatrician is a physician who specialises in the care of children and the treatment of children's ailments.

Pharmacists or Chemists - Your local pharmacist or chemist provide medicine prescribed to you by your doctor.

How Health Needs Are Catered For

Health products and services come about because there is a need in the community.  Any medicines you and your family use have been developed and improved over time to treat illnesses in the best way possible, and many medicines we use now were never even thought of 100 years ago.

Medical Research

Medical research and drug development happens within the government and private companies.  Because it takes a long time and a lot of money to create new drugs, most research is aimed at the biggest health problems we face.  Today’s medical research is aimed at problems such as cancer, heart disease, AIDS and other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and organ transplantation.

Access to Medical Care

The type of medical care you use depends on where you live and how much you can pay for.  Some countries have ‘free’ medical care, where health services are paid for by everyone through taxes.  In other countries you only pay for health care when you need it.  Sometimes this means that those people who cannot afford the best health care have to wait a long time before getting the treatment they need.

How People Choose Health Products

People choose health products for many reasons

- Recommended by their doctor or therapist.

- Recommended by their pharmacist or chemist.

- Recommended by friends and family.

- Advertising through the media.

- Pamphlets and leaflets.

- Personal preference of a brand name.

Sometimes products offer quick solutions to people’s problems, like exercise equipment that offers fantastic results for not much work.  It is important to check to see if these products can do what they say they can.  Remember the old saying: If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.