Each year our country throws more money into health care than any other nation. But tens of millions of Americans still suffer from preventable disorders and chronic illness. Are you or others you know among them?
Part of the problem is our national focus on caring for people after they become sick or harmed, says the Trust for America’s Health, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Washington, D.C.
The group, which is dedicated to making disease prevention a national priority, says placing a greater emphasis on prevention could help turn this around. Here’s how …
Burden of chronic disease
Two-thirds of adults in this country are overweight or obese. And with obesity running rampant among kids, today’s children may become the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents. In addition, 21 percent of adults and 20 percent of high school students continue to smoke. Yet, obesity and smoking put people at risk for developing serious disease.
Many serious diseases are linked to smoking and obesity. The chance of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer is much higher in people who are obese or smoke. More than 75 percent of high blood pressure cases are linked to excess weight. And smoking is associated with chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer.
In addition, chronic disease leads to seven out of 10 deaths in the United States.
How prevention can help
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of chronic diseases can be prevented through lifestyle and environmental changes. The prevention efforts could also lower health-care costs. Of the more than $1.7 trillion in health care spent every year in the U.S., less than 4 cents out of every dollar is spent on public health and prevention. Yet, studies show that disease prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce health-care spending.
Healthful strategies
Three lifestyle issues have the biggest impact on health-care costs and the health of Americans, according to a recent study released by the health organization. The three are:
Exercise: One in five people do not engage in any form of physical activity, and many more do not achieve the minimum recommended levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. First consult your doctor if you’re unaccustomed to exercise.
Nutrition: Americans are consuming an average of 300 more calories daily than in 1985, much of it of poor nutritional quality. A healthy eating plan meets nutritional needs with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and low-fat dairy products, as well as nuts, seeds or lean meat, according to the CDC and the American Dietetic Association.
Smoking: One in five people smoke. To quit, talk to your doctor about your options. Effective methods include nicotine gum, patches, nose sprays or inhalers, prescription medications, self-hypnosis, and group classes or counseling.
Prevention results
If implemented, these prevention strategies could result in a 5 percent reduction in the frequency of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, and stroke over the next five years. The incidence of cancer, arthritis and chronic lung disease would fall by 2.5 percent within 10 to 20 years.
Investing in our nation’s health with community-based prevention programs, at a cost of only $10 per person a year, could also reduce health-care spending by $16 billion annually within the next five years, according to the study.
For more information: Trust for America’s Health, www.healthyamericans.org.
Contact Dr. Elizabeth Smoots at doctor@practicalprevention.com.
&Copy; 2008 Elizabeth S. Smoots
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
