Wellness
The role individuals play
in their own health care
became more prominent
in 2020.
As a global pandemic
forced people from all walks
of life to prioritize their personal
health each time they
left their homes, many individuals
sought ways to take
a more active role in their
health care.
Proactive health care has
long been touted by medical
professionals, though many
people still don’t take such
recommendations to heart.
In fact, a recent report from
the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimated
that as much as 75 percent of
health care spending in the
United States is reactive in nature,
meaning that money is
going toward treating conditions
and diseases rather than
preventing them from occurring
in the fi rst place.
COURIER L 28 IFE, OCT. 16-22, 2020
Taking an active role in
your own health care is easier
than people may think. And
the benefi ts of such a proactive
approach are numerous,
including a reduced risk for
various diseases.
Schedule annual
physicals
Annual physicals are one
of the simplest and most effective
ways for individuals to
take active roles in their personal
health.
Many health insurance
plans cover annual physical
exams at no cost to policy
holders, and these examinations
can uncover issues even
when individuals are not feeling
any symptoms.
Annual physicals also provide
great opportunities for
individuals to discuss diet and
healthy lifestyle choices with
their physicians in relaxed
settings.
Learn about the
preventive services that
are right for you
Individuals should speak
with their physicians about
which services are recommended
for individuals in
their situations. Screening
guidelines are often agebased,
but they also take personal
history and family history
into account.
For example, the U.S. Department
of Health and Human
Services recommends all
adults between the ages of 50
and 75 be screened for colorectal
cancer, but the frequency of
those screenings will depend
on each individual’s personal
risk and which screening test
they choose.
Embrace physical
activity
The DHHS notes that regular
physical activity increases
a person’s chances of living
a longer, healthier life. In addition,
the CDC says regular
physical activity reduces
a person’s risk for chronic
conditions, including type 2
diabetes, heart disease, various
types of cancer, and even
mood disorders like depression
and anxiety. Access to
fi tness facilities may be limited
or unavailable during the
pandemic, but that should not
deter people from exercising
regularly. Walking, jogging,
hiking, and cycling are great
forms of cardiovascular exercise
that have been linked to a
host of health benefi ts.
A proactive approach to
personal health is simple and
effective, potentially helping
people reduce their risk for a
variety of diseases and conditions.
Take a more active role
in your personal health