The Importance of Healthy Living: Learning from Street-Porter’s Experience

Television presenter and writer Janet Street-Porter is a staunch advocate for healthy living, particularly among the elderly. At the age of 77, she has encountered shingles twice, leading her to emphasize the significance of maintaining good health as we grow older.

In a 2024 survey commissioned by GSK for Shingles Awareness Week, it was found that 85% of adults aged 60 and above acknowledge the importance of preserving good health in their later years. Despite this recognition, the number of individuals taking proactive steps to sustain their health is lower than anticipated. Street-Porter is leveraging her firsthand experiences with shingles to educate others on the benefits of aging healthily.

After enduring the agonizing pain of shingles, Street-Porter underscores the necessity of aligning good health with one’s lifestyle choices. She asserts that reducing the consumption of processed foods, engaging in regular exercise, and bolstering one’s immune system are essential in preventing shingles. Furthermore, she emphasizes the significance of seeking the shingles vaccine, particularly for those with a compromised immune system.

Street-Porter has partnered with Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave to champion Shingles Awareness Week. Together, they are urging individuals to ascertain their eligibility for the NHS shingles vaccine, which is now available to a wider age range, including individuals over 50 with a severely weakened immune system. This collaborative initiative aims to decrease the risk of shingles reactivation and its incapacitating effects.

The 2024 survey revealed that only half of the respondents partake in regular exercise, and 59% consult their physicians when experiencing troubling symptoms. Street-Porter underscores the importance of establishing achievable fitness and healthy eating goals, particularly in preventing shingles.

The “Get Shingles Ready” campaign by GSK, with the endorsement of Steve Redgrave and Janet Street-Porter, aims to boost awareness about shingles prevention. Through their collective efforts, they strive to enlighten the public about the availability of the shingles vaccine and its potential to avert the distressing ordeal of shingles.

In conclusion, Street-Porter’s experiences and the collaboration with GSK and Sir Steve Redgrave emphasize the significance of upholding a healthy lifestyle, particularly as we age. The information provided serves as an impetus for individuals to prioritize their health and take preventative measures against shingles and its enduring impact.

For further details regarding the “Get Shingles Ready” campaign, kindly visit GetShinglesReady.co.uk.