The Importance of Preventative Health Care

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." - Benjamin Franklin When it comes to our health, these words ring especially true. A healthcare system emphasizing preventative medicine saves time, money, and most importantly, lives. See what happens when we shift our focus from treating ailments to preventing them, and learn how to help others take control of their health. WHERE A LACK OF PREVENTION HAS LANDED US Nearly 1 in 2 adults has a chronic illness Nearly 1 in 3 US children are overweight or obese, putting them at elevated risk for chronic disease 75% of America's healthcare spending is for treatment of preventable chronic diseases 7 in 10 American deaths are due to chronic disease – and many of these diseases are preventable COMMON CHRONIC DISEASES DIABETES 7.8% of Americans have diabetes but nearly 1 in 4 of these are undiagnosed Among adults ages 20-74, most common cause of: Blindness Kidney failure Lower extremity amputations unrelated to trauma HEART DISEASE, CANCER & STROKE Together, these 3 ailments make up 50% of American deaths annually 64% of men ages 75+ Hypertension, which can lead to heart disease, affects over.. 76% of women ages 75+ About 2 of cancer deaths could be prevented with: Reduced tobacco use Improved diet/exercise Established screening 1 in 2 Americans have at least 1 of 3 key risk factors for stroke: 3 Smoking 1 High blood pressure 2 High LDL cholesterol 3 LEADING CAUSES OF PREVENTABLE DEATH IN THE U.S. Improper diet and exercise Adults eat just: HAH 1.1 1.6 1 in 3 adults don't meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity servings of fruit each day servings of vegetables Recommended Weekly Physical Activity: Recommended Daily Intake of Fruits and Vegetables: 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity OR 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity OR a combination of these 5-13 servings Full-body strengthening 2+ days of the week Regular exercise and balanced diet can help prevent: CARDIOVASCULAR CERTAIN DIABETES DISEASE CANCERS 0O 2 – 2.5+ 2.5+ Colon & breast cancer are less common in those who regularly exercise hours of moderate + exercise per week hours of moderate exercise per week LIMIT LIMIT Diet is responsible for 30% of cancers in developed countries, making a poor diet the #2 risk factor saturated fats, salt, and saturated fatty acids, which may increase risk of Type 2 diabetes refined carbohydrates tobacco use is #1 risk factor Tobacco use Excessive alcohol consumption Linked to 54 diseases and injuries including cancers and issues with cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems About 1 in 5 adults smoke tobacco About 17% of It's also responsible for 1 in 5 deaths each year RIP . RIP adults binge drink, at an average of 8 drinks per binge Smoking increases lung cancer risk by: Binge drinking is defined as 23x 13x for men for women MEN 5+ 4+ Drinks WOMEN Drinks on one occasion Larynx - Kidney -Esophagus cancers like: Cervix It can also cause numerous other Reducing alcohol consumption can prevent: Quitting smoking can help prevent: Heart Disease: Alcohol consumption is linked to high blood pressure, which can lead to chronic disease Certain Cancers: The CDC says the best way to prevent lung cancer is never to smoke or to quit if you do smoke, no matter your age Certain Cancers: But the earlier you quit, the better – quitting alcohol may not impact cancer risk for several years following cessation Coronary Heart Disease: Significant risk reduction in 1-2 years after quitting X -1 Month C.O.P.D.: Reduces risk for this leading cause of U.S. death Medical professionals have the power to fight chronic disease by encouraging preventive care. You could stop the next death or disability from diabetes, heart disease or cancer. The RN to BSN Online Degree Program at Saint Peter's University earns you the qualifications for new careers in innovative environments. With your education, you can help patients manage their health before chronic disease strikes. SOURCES: http://www.cdc.gov/features/preventionstrategy/ http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/chronichtm http://www.uspreventivemedicine.com/Files/PDFS/In-Line/Supplemental-Article-Population-Health-Management-aspx http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vegetables-full-story/ http://www.cde.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/State-Indicator-Report-Fruits-Vegetables-2013.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/index.html#ReduceCancer http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health-topics/substance-abuse/tobacco/trends.html http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/adult_data/cig_smoking/ http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/what_you_can_do.htm http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/pdf/2009-power-of-prevention.pdf http://www.cancergov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/alcohol |SaintPeter's 1872 UNIVERSITY www.saintpetersuniversityonline.com