Application of Ayurvedic Preventive Health Principles in Achieving Sustainable Community Wellness

Abstract

Ayurveda contains a well-developed framework of preventive health, articulated through Swasthavritta and comprising daily regimen (Dinacharya), seasonal regimen (Ritucharya), right conduct (Sadvritta), wholesome diet (Aahara) and rejuvenation (Rasayana). These principles emphasise self-care, low resource use and alignment with natural rhythms, qualities that align closely with contemporary goals of sustainable community wellness. This paper reports a community-based implementation study evaluating a structured Ayurvedic preventive-health programme delivered to 320 participants across selected community clusters over twelve months. Programme components were translated into simple, locally adaptable daily practices, and outcomes were assessed through behavioural indicators, self-rated wellness and programme sustainability metrics. After twelve months, the proportion of participants reporting adequate sleep, regular physical activity and a balanced diet rose substantially, tobacco use declined, and self-rated wellness improved. Practice retention remained high at follow-up while per-capita programme cost was low, supporting the sustainability of the model. The findings indicate that codified Ayurvedic preventive principles can be operationalised into affordable, acceptable and durable community-wellness interventions, while the single-arm design and reliance on self-reported outcomes indicate the need for controlled confirmation.

KEYWORDS: Ayurveda, Swasthavritta, Preventive Health, Dinacharya, Ritucharya, Community Wellness, Sustainability, Public Health