Raising Healthcare Awareness Early: Building a Healthier Future for Women and Families

By

Carina Kohli (Founder & CEO at Humm Care)

In India, where healthcare disparities remain a challenge, raising awareness about healthcare from a young age is more than a necessity — it’s a transformative approach to fostering healthier lives and communities. Early education on physical, mental, and reproductive health empowers individuals to make informed choices, reduces preventable illnesses, and instils lifelong well-being habits. For women and families, this proactive awareness can mitigate significant health issues in the longer run, and create a ripple effect across generations.

The Need for Early Healthcare Awareness in India

India’s healthcare system faces a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While medical advances have made treatment more accessible, the lack of early awareness and access to preventive care remains a critical gap.

• NCDs cause 66% of all deaths in India and are often preventable through early intervention and lifestyle changes. However, many people only seek healthcare when symptoms escalate beyond control.
• According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 60% of Indian women are anaemic, a condition that can largely be prevented with early nutrition education and healthcare access.
• Mental health disorders are also on the rise. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) reports that 7.3% of Indian teenagers suffer from mental health issues, many of which go unaddressed due to stigma and lack of awareness.

By educating children and young adults about physical and mental health, we can curb the prevalence of these healthcare issues and promote better healthcare outcomes.

Women’s Health: Addressing Gaps Through Early Intervention

Women in India face unique healthcare challenges that span their entire lives. From menstruation to menopause, many conditions through these life stages go undiagnosed or untreated due to a lack of early education, cultural stigma, or healthcare access.

• Endometriosis affects 25 million Indian women, yet it often takes years for a diagnosis due to low awareness.
• Around 22% of Indian women suffer from postpartum depression, but societal pressure and misinformation prevent many from seeking help.
• Breast cancer accounts for 14% of all cancers in Indian women, yet awareness about self-examinations and early screenings is still low.

Promoting healthcare education in schools and communities helps women understand their bodies, recognize early signs of health issues, and seek timely care. When women are healthy, they are better able to support their families, communities, and careers.

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness from Childhood

Mental health awareness is integral to overall well-being. Yet in India, mental health discussions are still shrouded in stigma. Early intervention is key:

50% of mental health conditions develop before the age of 14, but lack of awareness leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Incorporating mental health education into early curricula can build emotional resilience, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviour. Children who learn coping strategies, mindfulness, and emotional expression are better equipped to handle stress and mental health challenges later in life.

A Culture of Preventive and Proactive Healthcare

Preventive and proactive healthcare involves regular check-ups, screenings, and early lifestyle adjustments. Unfortunately, for most individuals, their healthcare-seeking behaviour is often reactive instead of proactive. To shift this paradigm:

1. Health Education in Schools: Integrate comprehensive health education covering nutrition, hygiene, mental health, and reproductive health.
2. Parental Involvement: Educate parents on the importance of preventive care, so they model these habits for their children.
3. Community Programs: Initiatives that provide accessible health information, workshops, and services can reduce disparities and improve health outcomes.
4. More access: Building a network of reliable and judgement-free healthcare providers across urban and rural India.
5. Less Stigma: Providing judgment-free care and encouraging proactive measures, conversation and community building will reduce stigma in the longer run and encourage individuals to seek out help and care.

A culture of prevention reduces long-term healthcare costs and improves quality of life. Early awareness can help detect conditions before they fully develop or worsen, saving lives and resources.

A Subtle Shift with a Magical Compounding Impact

The transition toward early healthcare awareness doesn’t require drastic changes. Simple, consistent and incremental efforts — like teaching children about nutrition, mental health, and regular check-ups from an early age — can have profound compounding effects. Health-aware children grow into health-conscious adults who make informed decisions, support their families’ well-being, and contribute to healthier communities.

Humm Care: Building for Better Healthcare Outcomes

Humm Care offers a comprehensive suite of programs designed to meet the varied needs of individuals and families, ensuring healthcare is seamlessly integrated into daily life. From Pregnancy and Baby Care programs that guide new parents through the challenges of early parenthood to Postpartum Care that supports physical, mental, and emotional recovery, and elderly care, we provide a nurturing framework for every step of the family-building journey.

At Humm Care, we also prioritize PWD, caregiving and mental well-being through our Mental Health programs, focusing on therapy, emotional resilience, and work-life balance to help individuals navigate life’s challenges. For men, our Men’s Health program provides comprehensive support for fitness, nutrition, mental health, and general healthcare, ensuring holistic well-being.

Additionally, our Content and Community Access program fosters continuous learning and engagement through expert-verified content, interactive lessons, and community support. For women, our Women’s Health program addresses needs such as PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, and thyroid management, providing access to specialized experts for personalized care.

These diverse offerings reflect our mission to make healthcare proactive, accessible, and personalised. By embedding these solutions into everyday life, Humm Care supports healthier futures for individuals and families in India, and globally.