<![CDATA[This paper examines Basic Health Skills as the cornerstone of health promotion and healthy living in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Basic health skills are essential competencies that enable individuals to make informed health decisions, prevent diseases, maintain personal and environmental hygiene, adopt healthy lifestyles, and effectively utilize available healthcare services. Despite increased public health awareness, many communities in Ika South continue to face challenges associated with poor sanitation, inadequate health literacy, unhealthy dietary practices, sedentary lifestyles, low uptake of preventive healthcare services, and limited access to quality health information. These challenges contribute to the increasing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and hinder sustainable community development. Drawing on recent empirical evidence and contemporary health promotion theories, including the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Pender's Health Promotion Model, this paper argues that strengthening basic health skills is fundamental to improving individual and community health outcomes. The paper emphasizes the importance of health education, disease prevention, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, environmental sanitation, first aid knowledge, and healthcare utilization as critical components of healthy living. It further highlights the roles of government agencies, schools, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations in promoting health literacy and healthy behaviours through collaborative interventions. The paper concludes that sustainable investment in health education and community-based health promotion programmes will significantly improve health outcomes, reduce preventable diseases, and enhance the quality of life of residents in Ika South Local Government Area. It recommends intensified public health education, strengthened primary healthcare services, improved environmental sanitation, increased community participation, and supportive health policies to promote lifelong healthy living.]]>
