The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), has recently announced the initiation of ‘Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)’, a novel programme focused on health and risk communication. This initiative prioritizes Covid-19 awareness, aiming to enhance understanding of science and health at grass-root levels, thereby encouraging health-centric responses among the masses.
Objectives of the Programme
The primary objective of YASH is to minimize risks through active public communication and outreach activities. By encouraging public understanding of fundamental scientific principles related to community care and health safety measures, the programme aims to create an informed society capable of making educated health decisions.
Key preventive measures such as personal sanitation and hygiene, physical distancing, and maintaining collective behaviour are some areas of focus. It strives to create a culture that values scientific knowledge and its implications in everyday lives, especially in the context of public health and safety. Efforts will be channelled to equip the public with necessary insights into these aspects.
Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles
Another significant goal of this programme is to mitigate the widespread fear associated with health risks. The attempt is to replace fear with confidence, offering people the necessary understanding they need to embrace sustainable health patterns. This includes, but is not limited to, adopting healthier dietary habits, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining emotional wellbeing.
The programme firmly believes that once individuals have a strong foundational understanding of the science behind their health, they can better appreciate the importance of a good lifestyle. This would further encourage them to make positive behavioural changes that would ultimately lead to improved overall health.
Building a Scientific Culture
Furthermore, YASH aims to nurture a scientific culture among the masses. By fostering an appreciation for science and its role in health, the programme hopes to promote scientific literacy. This does not merely mean having a basic understanding of scientific concepts, but being able to apply that knowledge in a manner that facilitates improved personal and community health.
Scientific literacy aids in the development of critical thinking skills, thereby promoting individual autonomy in health-related decisions. It also encourages informed discussions about health within communities, leading to collective action towards improving public health outcomes. Ultimately, the growth of a scientific culture can significantly contribute to a healthier and more informed society.
With its comprehensive and effective science and health communication strategy, YASH is poised to have a significant impact on grass-root level health awareness and associated behaviours. By empowering individuals with knowledge and promoting a culture of health-conscious decisions, it holds promise to change the face of public health in the current Covid-19 context and beyond.
Source: PIB