Millennials aren't as well-versed with anatomy, and this is negatively affecting healthcare. Researchers from the Lancaster Medical School administered the anatomical test and based on the results, middle-aged non-graduates received higher scores compared to the young graduates who also participated.
The researchers warned that the low quiz results could imply that the public has a “poor knowledge of anatomy,” and that this can lower the effectiveness of health screening campaigns targeting specific organs. Dr. Adam Taylor said, “Whilst many of the public do not have or need formal anatomical knowledge, it is beneficial in monitoring and explaining their own health.” (Related: Healthcare companies finally starting to realize that disease prevention saves more money than disease “treatment.”)
For the quiz, participants were tasked with attaching the following labels on a blank template of a human body: the brain, cornea, lungs, liver, diaphragm, heart, stomach, appendix, bladder, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, adrenals, thyroid, hamstrings, biceps, triceps, quadriceps, cruciate ligament, and Achilles tendon.
The terms listed above were chosen based on how often they were mentioned in an average day, like in health and fitness, when treating sports injuries, discussed on TV shows, and in online searches for abdominal pain. In the test, the only organ that all participants correctly identified 100 percent was the brain. The results revealed that the biceps muscle and the cornea came next as the structures that people were able to properly identify.
The participants were the least familiar with the adrenal glands. Only less than 15 percent of the participants were able to identify it, and majority mistakenly believed that it was located in the neck.
While studying the results, the researchers made the following observations:
- The men scored higher than the women when it came to identifying muscles, but the former weren't as successful in identifying internal organs.
- The graduates did not get higher scores than the non-graduates.
- The older participants achieved better scores than the younger participants. It is possible that those aged 40 to 49 got higher scores since one visits the doctor more often at this stage in life.
- Those who worked at any health-related job had higher scores compared to people in other professions.
- Participants who consulted a healthcare professional before the quiz did not get higher scores than those who didn't.
Dr. Taylor admitted that the results of the quiz showed the public's enthusiasm when it came to learning more about anatomy even though they weren't as familiar with the human body.
Tips to stay healthy naturally
Aside from brushing up on anatomy, try these natural ways to improve your immunity so you can stay healthy:
- Take a walk – If you have free time, take a walk in the park to destress. Walking can improve your blood pressure and pulse rate, and it can help increase your white blood cells, which help fight off viral infections.
- Get enough sleep at night – Sleeping for at least seven to eight hours each night can boost your immunity.
- Use herbs and spices when cooking – Aside from adding flavor to your food, herbs and spices come with various health benefits. Cook with herbs like oregano, which has carvacrol and thymol that helps fight off viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
- Stay hydrated – Drinking enough water boosts various bodily functions, such as flushing toxins from organs.
- Always wash your hands – Keep your hands clean to stay healthy.
- Get enough exercise – Exercise boosts your immune system by helping you combat stress, which is often linked to disease.
- Reduce your sugar intake – Try to keep an eye on the amount of sweets that you consume because too much sugar will affect your immunity.
You can read more articles about healthcare and government health regulations at HealthCoverage.news.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
