As the Dominican Republic prepares for its annual independence festive season, a leading national nursing figure is sounding the call for all Dominican residents to center personal health and well-being as a year-round priority, not just a passing wellness goal. In an exclusive interview with independent news editor Richie Ferrol held on September 13, 2026, Priscilla Prevost, who serves both as a practicing family nurse practitioner and president of the National Nurses Council, laid out her public health message tailored to the upcoming period of widespread celebration.
Prevost opened her remarks by acknowledging that communal gatherings and joyful celebrations are deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Dominican life, and the upcoming independence season will bring a marked increase in these social events across the country. She noted that amid the excitement of holiday festivities, it is all too common for individuals to set aside their usual healthy habits and overlook the long-term impacts of their daily choices.
Beyond framing health as a personal goal, Prevost emphasized that protecting and maintaining individual wellness is a shared collective responsibility that ripples out to benefit entire communities. She described the human body as a sacred vessel, encouraging people to treat it with greater intentional care. Contrary to common misconceptions that health focus only centers on diet, she explained that holistic well-being encompasses far more than eating nutrient-dense foods. Key components include making intentional, responsible choices around alcoholic beverage consumption, prioritizing consistent, adequate sleep each night, and nurturing supportive, positive social connections.
Prevost also drew attention to the underrecognized impact of chronic exposure to negative environments and interactions, explaining that ongoing negativity can erode both a person’s overall emotional state and weaken their immune system function. Based on this, she encouraged all Dominicans to adopt sustainable, healthier daily habits and stay mindful of the interconnected factors that shape physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes.
The nursing leader further stressed that reckless personal choices do not only affect the individual making them—they can carry severe, life-altering consequences for family members, coworkers, and the broader public. To illustrate this point, she cited the common high-risk behavior of drinking and driving during holiday seasons, noting that a single irresponsible decision can lead to devastating road traffic accidents that harm innocent passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians, not just the person behind the wheel.
Closing her message, Prevost urged Dominicans to reflect on how individual choices shape collective community well-being, and to recognize the inherent value of each person’s ongoing contribution to national life. “Every decision that we make has consequences, whether for good or for bad,” she said, reaffirming that responsible personal conduct and sustained health investment are critical to allowing individuals to continue making meaningful, positive contributions to Dominican society for years to come.