Just The Facts: Disease Prevention -Where's the Beef?
Just The Facts:
Disease Prevention - "Where's the Beef"
68 Percent of Americans Believe Prevention is the Solution to America's Healthcare Challenge [http://www.uspreventivemedicine.com/Press-Room/USPM-News/68%20Percent%20of%20Americans%20Believ.html] - Consumers overwhelming believe that greater emphasis on prevention is a solution to the nation’s healthcare challenges, according to a new consumer survey conducted by International Communications Research (ICR) and commissioned by U.S. Preventive Medicine, a company developing programs to advance a culture of prevention throughout America…..BUT:
While 50.2 percent of respondents said they knew of an instance where taking preventive health measures might have avoided a major illness for themselves, their family or friends….
…only 38.5 percent said they don’t worry about their health until
Disease Prevention - "Where's the Beef"
68 Percent of Americans Believe Prevention is the Solution to America's Healthcare Challenge [http://www.uspreventivemedicine.com/Press-Room/USPM-News/68%20Percent%20of%20Americans%20Believ.html] - Consumers overwhelming believe that greater emphasis on prevention is a solution to the nation’s healthcare challenges, according to a new consumer survey conducted by International Communications Research (ICR) and commissioned by U.S. Preventive Medicine, a company developing programs to advance a culture of prevention throughout America…..BUT:
While 50.2 percent of respondents said they knew of an instance where taking preventive health measures might have avoided a major illness for themselves, their family or friends….
…only 38.5 percent said they don’t worry about their health until
there’s a problem.
…only 39.5 percent said they don’t know what preventive health
…only 39.5 percent said they don’t know what preventive health
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PREVENTION92607.doc]
· The American Heart Association reports that the lifetime risk of
hypertension is approximately 90 percent for adults
between the ages of 55 and 65. Disturbingly, one third of those
affected are not aware they have this condition.
· The World Health Organization reports that 50 percent of the
deaths and disability from heart disease and strokes (worldwide)
be eliminated by a combination of simple, cost-effective
national efforts and individual actions to reduce major risk
factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity
and smoking.
· The American Cancer Society reports that at least half of the
deaths from cancers (564,830 projected in 2006) could be
prevented by greater use of established screening tests and the
application of existing knowledge.
· Increasing the use of just five preventive services would save more
than 100,000 lives every year in the U.S., according to a new study
released today by Partnership for Prevention.
· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that
preventive efforts can benefit the 17 million Americans with type 1
or type 2 diabetes.
o Regular eye exams and timely treatment could prevent up to 90
percent of diabetes-related blindness.
o Routine foot examinations and patient education could prevent
up to 85 percent of diabetes-related amputations.
· The United States spends $2.2 trillion on healthcare annually, yet
only four percent is devoted to preventive services, such
as health risk appraisals, simple blood tests, and smoking cessation
programs.
The good news is that legislative initiatives are being proposed and dozens of health care organizations across the country have begun to recognize the critical importance of developing initiatives that will encourage more aggressive prevention programs. An example is: the Knollenberg's bill, H.R. 853, that would offer a $200 tax credit to employers for every employee who participates in a workplace wellness program. The participating employee would also receive a $200 tax credit for participating. The wellness program would include screenings for chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes as well as seminars on healthy eating habits, smoking cessation, exercise, mental health and stress management among other preventive strategies. The bill also provides $20,000 of loan forgiveness for students who graduate with a degree in preventive medicine.
Source: US Preventive Medicine web site. [http://www.uspreventivemedicine.
com/]
The good news is that legislative initiatives are being proposed and dozens of health care organizations across the country have begun to recognize the critical importance of developing initiatives that will encourage more aggressive prevention programs. An example is: the Knollenberg's bill, H.R. 853, that would offer a $200 tax credit to employers for every employee who participates in a workplace wellness program. The participating employee would also receive a $200 tax credit for participating. The wellness program would include screenings for chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes as well as seminars on healthy eating habits, smoking cessation, exercise, mental health and stress management among other preventive strategies. The bill also provides $20,000 of loan forgiveness for students who graduate with a degree in preventive medicine.
Source: US Preventive Medicine web site. [http://www.uspreventivemedicine.
com/]
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