Self-Love Starts with Health: A pride conversation on prevention and protection
A discussion during Pride Month in the Philippines emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare for the LGBTQIA+ community. Experts and advocates highlighted that overcoming stigma and prioritizing long-term wellness are essential components of self-love.
Why it matters
It addresses the intersection of social identity and health equity, identifying barriers to care for marginalized groups.
Pride has always been about embracing one's identity, living authentically, and advocating for dignity and equality. Increasingly, it is also becoming a space to talk about another important form of empowerment: taking charge of one's health.
During last month's Pride Month discussion organized in partnership with LoveYourself Inc. and supported by MSD in the Philippines, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies came together to explore the connection between self-love, preventive healthcare, and informed health decisions.
For infectious disease specialist Dr. Claro Antonio, self-care extends far beyond the wellness routines people often associate with it.
"When you say self-care, most of us think about what will make us feel good today. But preventive healthcare is about thinking of your future self. It's asking: how do I protect myself and keep myself healthy in the years ahead?" he said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in