Geographical Health Education for knowing and preventing risk factors
In this contribution the importance of a geographical health education perspective is underlined, and the need
to promote a widespread and shared awareness of this topic has led to the introduction of a new type of feature focused to the related aspects with this number of J-READING. In particular, in the present work, first of
all the potential added value of harmonious and coordinated health education actions is underlined, aimed at
translating the findings of scientific research for social usefulness, also focussing the attention on the need to
avoid incorrect behaviour which can put people at risk of specific diseases and disorders. Secondly, a reflection is provided about the leading causes of death and risk factors, highlighting the differences among geographical areas and countries on the basis of a number of indicators which continue to show considerable
inequalities and reveal facets and problematic conditions of many contexts with development delay, above all
in Sub-Saharan Africa. The imbalances in basic maternal and children health services continue to be burdensome and the system too feeble to face communicable diseases, often easily preventable and treatable, even if
some encouraging achievements have been recorded in the last years. Thirdly, the attention is dedicated to the
health risk factors and noncommunicable diseases in the developed countries and a focus is provided on the
European countries. The use of tobacco, the abuse of alcohol, an unbalanced diet and physical inactivity
(which together contribute to overweight and obesity) here are remarkable risk factors for chronic diseases,
but their incidence could be easily reduced by encouraging and supporting at school and at educational level
adequate programmes, “best buys” and supplementary interventions for assuming better behaviour. Some perspectives for geographical health education are finally discussed considering the potentialities of geotechnologies, WebGIS and open source GIS, specific app and services, story maps and digital storytelling.