Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Power of Prevention

The most effective way of lowering healthcare costs starts with each of us managing our own health. Preventive steps like these can help Americans avoid chronic diseases:

* Eating well.
* Vaccinations.
* Wellness visits.

Some chronic diseases and their complications can be prevented. In fact, a nonprofit health advocacy group, Trust for America’s Health, issued a report in July 2008 which studied the impact of community health programs for physical activity, healthy eating, and smoking cessation. The study found that within 2 years, these programs can reduce levels of diabetes and blood pressure by 5% and, within 10 to 20 years, some forms of cancer. It also found that states could save up to $9.90 per $1 invested in prevention programs, resulting in millions of dollars over just a few years.4

Continue reading http://www.forahealthieramerica.com/ts/prevention.html

References:

1. Thorpe K., et al., “Trends: The Impact of Obesity on Rising Healthcare Costs,” Health Affairs, web exclusive, October 20, 2004.
2. Weight–control Information Network. Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity. Bethesda, MD: Weight-control Information Network, 2007. Available at http://win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm. Accessed May 18, 2007.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fact Sheet: Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking. Atlanta: CDC, 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/Factsheets/health_effects.htm. Accessed May 18, 2007.
4. American Heart Association, 2008
5. CDC. National Vital Statistics Reports: Deaths: Final Costs for 2000. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2002.
6. NCHS “Number of Deaths from 113 selected causes by age: US 2005”
7. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, JAMA 2003;290:1884-1890.


Verlia Caldwell, Pres.

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