ICYMI: How health education can reduce Nigeria’s disease burden-Don

ICYMI: How Health Education Can Reduce Nigeria’s Disease Burden — Don Reported by Sele Media Africa | Ihuoma Amarachi LAGOS — At her inaugural lecture delivered on November 12 2025 at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Mercy Adaku Chigemezu Onwuama of the Department of Human Kinetics & Health Education spotlighted health education as a key strategy to combat Nigeria’s rising disease burden. [1] Key Insights – Professor Onwuama defined health education as a discipline and methodology that enables individuals and communities to make informed choices about their health, describing it as “a set of philosophies and methodologies that educate individuals and communities on health issues to enable them make positive decisions about their personal health.” [1] – She stressed that many preventable illnesses persist in Nigeria due to low awareness, harmful behaviours and weak health‑education systems, particularly among underserved populations including rural communities, women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. [1]- Her call included strengthening health education through schools, homes, communities, media and healthcare facilities; revising curricula; improving policy; and ensuring community participation and reinforcement in health promotion. [1] Why It Matters – Nigeria continues to face a dual burden of communicable and non‑communicable diseases (NCDs). For example, recent research shows high prevalence of raised blood pressure, raised blood sugar and obesity among women of reproductive age in parts of Nigeria. [2] – Behavioural risk factors—such as poor diet, physical inactivity, low awareness and delayed treatment—are major drivers of NCDs and related complications. Health education can help modify these behaviours. [3] – Enhanced health literacy empowers citizens to seek early care, adopt preventive practices and reduce the burden on the health system.Looking Ahead – For policymakers and educators: Integrate health education into school curricula and community programmes; increase funding for health‑education infrastructure; remove barriers like language/culture that limit reach. – For healthcare providers: Partner with health educators to ensure that public‑health messaging is clear, culturally appropriate and accessible.- – For communities: Embrace health‑education initiatives, question myths or harmful practices, and demand credible information on prevention and early treatment.Takeaway Professor Onwuama’s lecture reaffirmed that health education is not optional—it is central to Nigeria’s fight against disease. If sustained and scaled, it can reduce preventable illnesses, empower individuals and ease pressure on the health‑care system. Citations:1. University Of Lagos: unilag.edu.ng/breaking-barriers-in-disease-prevention-prof-onwuama-calls-for-stronger-health-education-systems-at-488th-inaugural-lecture/?utm_source=chatgpt.com2. PMC: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10565324/?utm_source=chatgpt.com3. meddiscoveries.org: meddiscoveries.org/articles/1134.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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Ihuoma Amarachi Grace

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Ihuoma Amarachi Grace is a journalist with Sele Media Africa, committed to telling authentic African stories with depth and creativity. A Christian and a student of English and Literary Studies, she blends her love for writing with the art of spoken word to inspire and inform. Her voice adds a thoughtful and artistic dimension to Sele Media’s mission of amplifying unheard voices across the continent.

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