Every day, more Nigerians are losing their lives to preventable diseases. While we are making significant progress in tackling some infectious diseases; we have eradicated polio, and HIV is now being adequately managed; we are now faced with a rising tide of once-rare diseases. Diabetes, hypertension, and cancer are claiming lives faster than they’re detected. But why is this happening? [1]
Could it be a matter of perception? Perhaps more people are now visiting hospitals, or maybe disease registers are better maintained. Some attribute it to our changing food culture because eateries and pastries are now commonplace. Our lifestyles have also shifted. We once used grinding stones and pounded yams manually, exerting significant effort. Now, convenience has replaced exertion. With cars, urbanization, and reduced physical activity becoming the norm, many suggest that the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is the cost of modern-day ease [2]. If this is true, why then are we relying solely on medications to solve problems rooted in how we live?
What if we could take charge of this crisis by changing how we live and how we care for our health? It is time to think beyond pills. It is time to explore how healthier habits, community-driven support, and empowered self-care can lead the way.
The Missing Link: Lifestyle Medicine and Self-Care
Modifiable risk factors are driving the epidemic of NCDs. These include but are not limited to unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol and tobacco use, obesity and unmanaged stress. Addressing these factors requires proactive, people-centred behavioural approaches.
From my clinical experience, many Nigerians prefer non-drug interventions. They are more likely to follow dietary guidance or basic lifestyle changes and often question the side effects of medications. This preference presents a unique opportunity to embrace Lifestyle Medicine, an evolving specialty increasingly recognized as foundational to health. It emphasizes plant-based nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and the cultivation of positive social connections [3].
Rather than relying on quick prescriptions, Lifestyle Medicine supports lasting health changes. However, behaviour change is not easy. It demands motivation, accountability, and culturally relevant support. This is where health coaches and clinicians trained in Lifestyle Medicine come in. They help individuals embed healthy habits into their daily routines [3].
Self-Care: A Vital Component of Health Management
Imagine managing patients who neither know their diagnosis nor understand how to manage it. This presents a real challenge when prescribing medications or even recommending lifestyle changes. It underscores the critical, yet often overlooked, role of self-care in health management. Self-care empowers individuals to actively participate in their health and well-being. It includes monitoring health, adopting preventive measures, embracing health education, managing chronic conditions, and being prepared for health crises:
Monitoring Health: Tracking key health parameters such as BMI, blood sugar, and blood pressure can be done using wearables, portable devices, or mobile apps. Even a simple notebook can help detect potential issues early [4].
Preventive Measures: Keeping up with vaccinations, health screenings, and routine checks remains a powerful but underutilized preventive tool [5].
Health Education via Digital Engagement: Improved health literacy leads to better outcomes. Digital platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook can be used for health reminders, educational content, and support groups. Localized approaches such as voice messages, skits, and videos in local languages make this content even more engaging [6].
Self-Management of Chronic Conditions: This involves adherence to prescribed medications, maintaining a healthy diet, and regular exercise. It may also include adjusting medication doses under guidance, avoiding known triggers, and responding promptly to warning signs [4].
Crisis Preparedness: Recognizing early warning signs and knowing how to respond can significantly reduce complications and mortality. For instance, managing sudden spikes or dips in blood sugar levels is critical [5].
Leveraging Community-Based Interventions
Community engagement is key to scaling self-care and lifestyle-based solutions. While digital tools expand reach, cultural relevance must guide implementation. Community wellness programs, healthy cooking classes, and neighbourhood exercise groups are practical ways to drive lasting behavioural change. [7]
The recently appointed Nigerian Health Fellows can serve as catalysts in this transformation. Their presence across every local government area provides strategic support. Collaborating with community and religious leaders, they can help identify local needs and integrate self-care into existing programs. Additionally, local influencers can amplify these messages and model healthy practices. This grassroots approach ensures that Lifestyle Medicine becomes culturally resonant and embedded in everyday life [7].
Equity-Based Approaches Are Important Too
Not all Nigerians have equal access to healthy food, safe exercise spaces, or quality healthcare. Our fight against NCDs must therefore include policies that remove social and environmental barriers. These include fair healthcare financing, improved urban planning, food security initiatives and workplace wellness programs. Without addressing these broader determinants of health, even the best-designed health campaigns will fail to achieve meaningful impact (8).
Call to Action
To effectively address the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria, a multifaceted, people-centred approach is essential. One important step is training healthcare providers in Lifestyle Medicine and equipping them with the skills necessary for behaviour-change counselling. This will help shift care from a medication-first model to one that emphasizes sustainable, preventive practices.
Equally important is the integration of self-care education into primary healthcare services and community outreach programs. When individuals are educated about their health and empowered to make informed choices, they become active participants in their care, rather than passive recipients.
Digital platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook offer powerful avenues for increasing access to health education and support. These familiar tools can be used to deliver timely, relevant health messages in local languages and formats that resonate with different communities.
Furthermore, promoting cross-sector collaboration is key. Schools, workplaces, religious bodies, and policymakers all have roles to play in creating a supportive environment for healthy living. These partnerships can promote comprehensive, community-level interventions that reinforce healthy behaviours in everyday life.
Finally, it is important to respect cultural preferences and translate them into evidence-informed care strategies. Health solutions must reflect the realities and values of the people they serve to be truly effective. The way forward is not paved with prescriptions alone. It lies in prevention, personalization, and empowering individuals and communities. By embracing this approach, we can create a healthier Nigeria—one community at a time.
REFERENCES
World Health Organization. Noncommunicable Diseases Overview [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa. Nigeria Country Disease Outlook [Internet]. Brazzaville: WHO AFRO; 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.afro.who.int/sites/default/files/2023-08/Nigeria.pdf
American College of Lifestyle Medicine. What is Lifestyle Medicine? [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://lifestylemedicine.org/pillars/
World Health Organization. Noncommunicable Diseases Country Profiles [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/surveillance/data/profiles-ncd
World Health Organization. Noncommunicable Diseases Progress Monitor 2022 [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2022 [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240047761
Oladeji BD, Ogunbajo A, Adebayo K, Gureje O. Developing Digital Mental Health Interventions for People with Limited Literacy in Africa: Examples from Nigeria. BJPsych Int. 2021 Nov;18(4):84-87.
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa. Noncommunicable Diseases [Internet]. Brazzaville: WHO AFRO; [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases
Adebayo AM, Labiran A, Oluwole D, Emerenini CF. Health equity in Nigeria: A review of challenges and policy options. Niger Med J. 2022;63(1):1-6.
