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Being responsible for your health

t is common sense that if you
touch a hot stove your skin will
Ibe burned, or that if you try
to cross a street without looking
for oncoming traffic you may be
hit by a car. Individuals can avoid
these experiences by avoiding the
behaviors that can cause them.

It’s the same thing with our personal
health. Most individuals can avoid
chronic diseases – such as diabetes or
heart disease – and premature death
by having a healthy lifestyle that
includes regular exercise and eating
the right foods in moderation.

A report by the National Research
Council and Institute of Medicine
revealed that up to half of all
premature deaths (those occurring
before age 80) in the United States are
due to preventable factors, including
modifiable habits such as tobacco
use, poor diet and lack of exercise.
A study by the World Health live longer but also because chronic and facilities are covered by your
Organization identified four factors illnesses sometimes require expensive health plan, and learn what
– poor diet, high blood pressure, medications and treatments. In the treatment options are available if
obesity and tobacco use – as primary end, the increased costs for health you have a certain condition or
causes of early death in the U.S.
care impact everyone, healthy or not. disease. Some health plans now
A Community Needs Assessment What are the recommendations for reward individuals who place
survey conducted by Ephraim being responsible for our health? a high priority on health and
McDowell Health’s Community Consider the following: wellness by providing discounted
Service Department in 2014 reveals premiums for those behaviors.
the need to improve the lifestyles • Maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is
of individuals living in the health important to maintain the body • Be an advocate for your care.
system’s service area. According to weight recommended for your We know we need to follow the
that survey, the prevalence of diabetes height and to exercise regularly. medical advice given to us by our
ranges from 9.3% to 15% in the Getting adequate sleep and health care provider, but it’s still
EMH service area. The report notes reducing stress are also important important to take charge of your
that the risk for diabetes can be as is using alcohol in moderation health. Learn all you can about
modified by lifestyle changes. and not smoking or using drugs. the medications and treatments
recommended for you, and ask
The need to modify behaviors is • Be an informed health care questions if you don’t understand
important not only to be healthy and consumer. Know which providers something.

Ephraim McDowell Health Source Summer 2016 15