23 June 2010

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) seven out of ten deaths among Americans are from chronic diseases. Heart disease, cancer, and stroke account for more than 50% of all deaths each year. Obesity has become a major health concern because of its disturbing prevalence in American society and because it is associated with increased risk for chronic disease. The most alarming reality is that obesity, heart disease, and many other chronic diseases are largely preventable with lifestyle changes. Lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption – known as modifiable risk behaviors – are responsible for illness, suffering, early death, and chronic disease. Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic vaccine or pill you can take to prevent these diseases. Behaviors are hard to change. Several national programs are being implemented to educate families, schools, and communities on how to live a healthier life, become more physically active, and make healthier food choices. Health care professionals of the future will play a role in improving health in our communities.

National Program Initiatives

• Communities to Put Prevention to Work will focus on prevention and wellness in order to create healthier communities. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, funds have been channeled into community-based prevention and wellness programs to address chronic disease rates. In response to the ARRA’s funding, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced in March 2010 awards for more than $372 million to support public health initiatives in 44 communities across the U.S.
• Let’s Move is a national initiative that provides resources to help parents and children make healthier food choices at home, in their school, and community. First Lady Michelle Obama is leading the charge to address childhood obesity.
• Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, a national program that implements community-based solutions with the expected outcome to reverse childhood obesity by 2015 is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and provides resources which support healthy eating and active living, especially among children who are at highest risk for obesity in 41 communities across the U.S.

What does this mean for you as a future healthcare professional?

Prevention and wellness programs will affect how healthcare is delivered. More emphasis will be placed on educating the public about how to prevent disease rather than treat the symptoms of chronic disease. Healthcare professionals who practice prevention strategies teach their patients and communities how to live a healthy life.  Information about proper nutrition, diet and exercise, smoking cessation, and similar programs can have a huge impact on individual and community health status.

Prevention can help save lives, reduce the cost of healthcare, and change the health of the nation, one community at a time.