The Readers Blog is a group blog, a collection of provocative, passionate people who represent a broad geographical, professional, personal and vocational range. New bloggers from other places and other points of view will join the conversation from time to time. Here, we invite them all to share their perspectives and opinions on the issues that matter to them most. And we invite you to respond. Let the dialogue begin!
Prevention in practice for healthy living
Five simple steps could save the lives of over 100,000 people in this country every year. This is the conclusion of a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The investigation assessed which preventive services have the greatest impact on health and length of life. Prevention includes all the measures health providers use to keep their patients healthy, such as vaccinations, cancer screening tests, and counseling. As a primary care doctor, my practice has a major focus on preventive medicine. But this new report reveals doctors are falling far short of providing optimum preventive care for their patients. The five simple steps are all standard, established procedures that, sadly, are underutilized in our healthcare system.
While this study is directed toward health care providers and health care policy makers, these critical findings should also be delivered directly to the general public. Over the past decade, major shifts have occurred in people
I was under the impression that aspirin could help prevent clotting which can contribute to a heart attack or stroke but I've not seen any data that it can prevent heart disease. If there are studies that speak to aspirin preventing heart disease could you please share your resources? Thanks!
Also, people can be sensitive to aspirin - even in low doses - so pay attention to increased stomach problems or bruising.
And lastly, I'd add a 6th easy step that can truly change lives. For lack of a better description I'll call it energy work. It can be any of many forms and it's easy to find one that suits each individual. Explore Yoga, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Qi Gong, Healing Touch, Shiatsu, acupuncture and even walking among others. These kinds of practices/therapies are truly fundamental to a healthy life style.
I've loved Ode for two years now - and love that they've provided this wonderful web site as a resource and place to meet people of like minds!
posted by SusanL on 11/21/2007 7:12 pm