Harm reduction or risk reduction is a strategy that aims to reduce the negative impacts of specific behaviors.
This is the first in a series of posts meant to look at harm reduction: what it is, what it isn’t, and how we can use it to effect positive change in people we care about (including ourselves).
Harm reduction or risk reduction is a strategy that aims to reduce the negative impacts of specific behaviors. You might see the term used with people who use drugs or in the setting of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
The principle of harm reduction comes from the acknowledgment that even though some things are risky, we sometimes are going to do them anyway. With this in mind, the public health practitioner thinks of ways to reduce the harm of these behaviors. Even if you have never heard of the term harm or risk reduction, you probably already use these strategies in your life!
Here is how Those Nerdy Girls are practicing harm reduction in our everyday lives:
Malia: I ride my bike to work as much as I can, and I like to listen to podcasts. I use one earbud so that I can still hear my surroundings and also listen to my stories.
Kenzie: 1. SUNSCREEN. No matter how much melanin you have or produce and no matter your age! 2. For kids (or anyone, really) who might experience sensory overload when working or traveling, having a stim kit on hand to prevent/manage overwhelm is super helpful!
Sara: Mosquitos love me! But outdoor time is really good for my mood and well-being, especially when the weather is nice. Hence, bug spray!
Liz: When hiking alone I make sure someone knows where I am hiking and when I will be back. I also wear bone-conduction headphones with the volume lowered to hear my surroundings.
Andrea: Biking in the city is a great way to get around but can be a daily obstacle course. I try to stick to protected bike lanes on my daily commute and use colored LED lights when out after dark.
Ashley: My daughter likes to cook and doesn’t love taking advice or exercising caution. She can make waffles anytime she wants completely independently. It doesn’t require a stove or knives. She makes a giant mess AND she has the autonomy to do this completely on her own.
MK: I love the ice cream at our local ice cream shop, but I am becoming lactose intolerant in my old age 😭and too much dairy gives me problems. So I order a kiddie scoop and pop a Lactaid and can sit with my family on the hot summer nights and let the ice cream delight my tastebuds without hurting my tummy.
In our next segment, we’ll share the ways harm reduction can help with some chronic health conditions such as those mentioned above. In the meantime, let us know your favorite harm reduction strategy!
Stay safe, stay curious,
Those Nerdy Girls
