Self-Love Starts with Health: A pride conversation on prevention and protection

Pride has always been about embracing one’s identity, living authentically, and advocating for dignity and equality. Increasingly, it is also becoming a space to talk about another important form of empowerment: taking charge of one’s health.

During last month’s Pride Month discussion organized in partnership with LoveYourself Inc. and supported by MSD in the Philippines, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies came together to explore the connection between self-love, preventive healthcare, and informed health decisions.

For infectious disease specialist Dr. Claro Antonio, self-care extends far beyond the wellness routines people often associate with it.

“When you say self-care, most of us think about what will make us feel good today. But preventive healthcare is about thinking of your future self. It’s asking: how do I protect myself and keep myself healthy in the years ahead?” he said.

Preventive healthcare includes actions that help reduce the risk of disease before illness develops, such as routine check-ups, health screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, mental health support, and vaccination. While these may seem like small steps, they can have a significant impact on long-term health and wellbeing.

For many LGBTQIA+ Filipinos, however, accessing healthcare is not always straightforward. Concerns about stigma, discrimination, and misinformation continue to discourage some individuals from seeking care early and consistently.

For Zoe Black, a transgender woman living with HIV and a community leader with LoveYourself, self-love and healthcare are deeply connected.

“I believe self-love is deeply connected to health and wellness,” she shared. “The way we value ourselves influences the way we care for our bodies, our minds, and our overall well-being.”

Black reflected on her own journey following her HIV diagnosis eight years ago, describing how fear, anxiety, and self-stigma initially became barriers to treatment. Over time, she realized that health empowerment often begins with small, intentional choices.

“Every healthy choice you make is already an act of self-respect. It is already an act of self-love,” she said.

Her advice for others is simple: start where you are.

“One step for one day is enough. Maybe your first step is simply setting an appointment. Every conscious decision to take care of yourself is already a big step.”

Prevention Is Protection

The discussion also highlighted how stigma can become one of the greatest barriers to better health outcomes.

“I believe HIV does not kill people. It’s stigma and discrimination that do it. The more embarrassed people are to get tested, the more they delay treatment,” Black said.

Creating safe, inclusive, and affirming healthcare spaces is therefore critical, particularly for communities that have historically faced barriers to care.

The importance of preventive healthcare becomes even more pronounced for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and other immunocompromised individuals, who may face increased risks from certain infections and vaccine-preventable diseases. Regular consultations, appropriate vaccinations, timely screening, and adherence to treatment are essential to maintaining long-term health.

Preventive healthcare should be prioritized by PLHIVs, according to Dr. Antonio.

“Vaccination is the highest form of self-care because you’re not only dealing with today. You’re protecting your future self,” he said.

While vaccines are often associated with childhood, adult vaccination remains an important yet frequently overlooked aspect of preventive healthcare. Depending on age, lifestyle, and health status, adults may seek advice from their physicians on appropriate health measures to help protect against vaccine-preventable diseases such as  influenza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is one of the most common viral infections worldwide and is linked to several cancers and other diseases. Despite this, misconceptions about HPV and vaccination continue to persist.

“HPV vaccination is not only for people who are sexually active. It’s one of the few vaccines that can actually help prevent HPV-related cancers,” Dr. Antonio explained.

Health, Community, and Empowerment

Beyond medical interventions, both speakers emphasized the importance of community in supporting health and wellbeing.

Black shared that one of the most important factors that helped her navigate her diagnosis was finding support and understanding from others. She also underscored the need to address mental health alongside physical health, noting that fear, shame, and self-doubt often prevent people from seeking care.

Their message was clear: healthcare should be accessible, inclusive, and affirming. Community organizations, healthcare providers, advocates, and public health institutions all have a role to play in ensuring that people feel safe seeking care without fear of judgment or discrimination.

As Pride continues to evolve as a movement for equality, dignity, and wellbeing, conversations about preventive healthcare serve as a powerful reminder that health is part of empowerment.

Whether it begins with scheduling a check-up, getting tested, seeking mental health support, speaking with a healthcare provider, or learning more about vaccination, every proactive step is an investment in one’s future.

Self-love is not only about acceptance. It is also about protection. It is choosing to care for the person you are today, and the person you hope to become tomorrow.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by MSD.