The World Health Organization states over 80% of chronic disease and pain is preventable by improving your lifestyle choices. Increasing daily physical activity and eating nutritious foods are paramount to prevention. Chronic disease and pain is defined as a physical health condition that lasts more than one year and causes functional restrictions or requires ongoing treatment[1]. Chronic diseases include:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart Disease
- Arthritis
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- Obesity
With chronic disease and pain also comes cost. The United States spends more than $2 trillion in healthcare costs annually; more than 75% is from chronic disease[2].
Our healthcare system is stressed as overall costs increase and a shortage of physicians grows. The system requires each individual to be proactive with their health to alleviate the pressure on the system. Preventative care is essential to improving overall health outcomes.
Prevention Strategies
- Move at least 240 minutes weekly, if you aren’t moving at all start slowly with total minutes and intensity.
- Perform 2 muscle strengthening workouts weekly. Utilize bodyweight exercises such as on ground exercises if you do not have access to equipment. Your muscles do not have eyes, that only sense tension placed on.
- Build daily rituals that include movement. As an example perform 20 squats after brushing your teeth.
- Add daily walking with a family member, pet, or friend. Everyone benefits!
- Perform intermittent bouts of movement daily. Short micro bursts of movement can disrupt the negative effects of not moving.
References:
[1] Basu J., Avila R., Ricciardi R. Hospital readmission rates in U.S. States: Are readmissions higher where more patients with multiple chronic conditions cluster? Health Serv. Res. 2016;51:1135–1151.[PMC free article] [PubMed]
[2] Tinker A. How to Improve Patient Outcomes for Chronic Diseases and Comorbidities. [(accessed on 30 December 2017)]; Available online: http://www.healthcatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/How-to-Improve-Patient-Outcomes.pdf.