Lack of awareness and understanding of insurance and disease prevention: an obstacle to public health in Africa

Africa is a continent where diseases are still a major public health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 70% of deaths on the continent. These diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, are often linked to modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy diet.

Despite the importance of prevention, the lack of awareness and understanding of insurance and disease prevention remains a major problem in Senegal and Africa.

Lack of awareness

Lack of awareness is one of the main obstacles to the promotion of insurance and disease prevention in Africa. Many Africans are not aware of the benefits of health insurance, nor of the risks associated with NCDs.

This lack of awareness is due to several factors, including:

• Low level of education: Many Africans do not have access to quality education, which prevents them from understanding complex concepts related to insurance and disease prevention.
• A culture of fatalism: In some African cultures, diseases are often seen as a fatality, which can discourage people from taking preventive measures.
• Lack of resources: Awareness campaigns on insurance and disease prevention are often limited in terms of resources, making it difficult to reach them on a large scale.

Lack of understanding

Even when Africans are aware of the benefits of insurance and disease prevention, they may not understand the ins and outs. This can lead to inappropriate health choices or inefficient use of health insurance services.

This lack of understanding is due to several factors, including:

• Complexity of insurance products: Health insurance products can be complex and difficult to understand, which can discourage people from purchasing them.
• Lack of information: Africans often have limited access to information about insurance and disease prevention.
• Prejudices: Some people may have prejudices against health insurance, which can discourage them from obtaining it.