A health advocate, Lorenz Mba, has called for a nationwide shift from reactive to preventive healthcare through simple lifestyle changes and early screening to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.

He made the call on Wednesday in Lagos during a road walk to commemorate the sixth edition of the ‘Let’s Waka with Q-Life and HEI’.

The road walk organised by the Waka Community International Foundation in collaboration with Q-Life Family Clinic and Health Emergency Initiative is to honour Ade Alakija, a renowned medical expert.

Mr Mba said many life-threatening conditions, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and glaucoma often showed no early symptoms, making regular medical checks critical. He noted that late detection of such illnesses continued to increase mortality rates and treatment costs, pushing many families into financial hardship.

According to him, preventive health practices, including daily walking, proper nutrition, hydration and adequate sleep, remain the most cost-effective way to stay healthy.

Mr Mba also highlighted the need to address gaps in men’s health awareness, noting that many men ignored early warning signs due to stigma or lack of information.

“Men’s health issues are not getting the attention they deserve, yet they have wider implications for families and society. When men suffer health challenges, especially those affecting their reproductive health, it often leads to psychological and emotional strain,” he said.

He added that there was growing evidence of a relationship between prostate cancer in men and increased breast cancer risk among their female relatives, underscoring the need for family-wide health awareness.

The ‘Waka’ founder noted that unhealthy lifestyles, physical inactivity and excess weight were major contributors to chronic diseases.

He explained that walking remained one of the safest and most accessible forms of exercise, particularly for individuals with limited mobility or underlying conditions.

“Walking is low-impact, inclusive and effective. It helps in weight management and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes,” he said.

He cautioned overweight individuals and those with a family history of arthritis against high-impact exercises such as running, noting that excess weight significantly increases pressure on the knees.

Mr Mba said the event also featured free health screenings to encourage early diagnosis and reinforce the culture of regular medical check-ups. He also said that the initiative, with more than 58,000 members across 48 countries, continued to promote community-based health interventions to improve public health outcomes.

According to him, Wakathon 2026 reflects a growing movement to reposition health as a personal and collective responsibility.

“A healthy population is essential for national productivity and economic growth. Nigerians must prioritise their health before illness forces them to,” he added.

(NAN)