According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7 out of 10 leading causes of death are chronic diseases-- many of which are preventable-- and half of all Americans live with at least one chronic disease. Most people don’t think twice about a visit to their doctor when sick, but many don’t understand the necessity and benefits of preventive care. This is more often the case for younger people, who are not as worried about their health.
The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other nation, so why is it that the lifespan of U.S. adults is below those in other nations? How can we improve our quality of life and longevity?
Preventative care is key. When preventive care is used and diseases are detected as early as possible, individuals can avoid and better control their health conditions.
Five possible benefits of preventive care include:
- Better outcome of treatment for a chronic disease
- Ability to be active and take part in life
- Prevention of large medical bills or bankruptcy
- Increased lifespan
- Easier treatment of chronic diseases
Getting age-appropriate screening tests is the best way to detect or prevent chronic diseases. The five top preventable diseases are:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Mental illness
- Vaccination-preventable infections
These chronic diseases are some of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. Therefore, preventive health care should begin at conception and continue throughout life.
There are some lifestyle changes you can make on your own to maintain good health and well-being: smoking cessation, moderate alcohol use, a well-balanced diet, and regular exercise. But these choices alone do not guarantee a clean bill of health, which makes it important to see your doctor for regular checkups.
Ultimately, preventive care provides the benefit of saving lives and improving the quality of your health for years to come!
HealthBridge’s model of care includes a variety of health care services, such as a physical examination, preventative screenings, laboratory tests, and immunizations. If you are interested in taking this approach to your health, please give us a call today to join today! 516-627-4433
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