Once again it appears that in our conditioned state we are unable to break out of our tunnel vision approach to health – disease care with its costly interventions, and acknowledge something so very basic as the fact that preventive care is more cost effective than long term care of chronic diseases.

A new study discusses the ramifications of costly chronic disease, type ll diabetes in particular especially with an aging population. The bottom line is that we are seeing these “chronic diseases” popping up in a much younger population. Young children are being diagnosed with type ll diabetes previously known as adult onset diabetes – this name has had to be changed to reflect this phenomenon. With the obesity epidemic affecting teens and adults alike we will be seeing more of the 10 leading causes of death in younger and younger populations. Of the 10 leading causes of death in the US which includes: heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, at least four of them can be prevented or their risks can be reduced through lifestyle interventions.

Given sound information with which to make informed choices, a commitment to better health, a willingness to make necessary behavioral changes, and support from preventive care health providers, we can realize much in the way of healthcare cost savings. Granted as we age, we are more susceptible to “chronic diseases” but if we are diagnosed at a much later period in time, and the disease does not affect us as severely because of the care we have taken of our bodies previously, certainly the cost would not be the same as that of someone who did not take any preventive steps and has more complications from the disease requiring more interventions and more medical care. To break it down even further and make this argument more relative, think of a car. If you carry out the recommended routine maintenance on your vehicle, such as oil changes, filter and fluid changes, is your car likely to run smoothly and require less major repairs, than one in which routine maintenance was carried out haphazardously at best.

Since 1913 the American Cancer Society has existed with a focus on controlling and finding a cure for cancer, and each year they receive million of dollars in funding to achieve these goals, but cancer remains the second leading cause of death. We may not have a cure, but we have numerous research findings suggesting that by certain preventive steps we can reduce the risks associated with this disease, and we can even impact survival with certain lifestyle interventions. How much does it cost the individual to increase the amount of whole grains, fruits and vegetables in his or her diet? How much does it cost them to make physical activity a regular part of their daily routine? How much does it cost to increase their daily intake of water? What does it cost to get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night? What does it cost to trust in divine power? Now compare this cost with medical and or surgical interventions, and medications, and ongoing medical visits. Even with insurance coverage these costs can be crippling for individuals, and it certainly cost the government as well.

To get a better picture of what is involved in continuing along the same path of disease care versus health care and expecting reduced cost here are some figures compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for 2005, no doubt these figures will have escalated over the years.

Cost of Chronic Diseases

· Approximately 50% (133 million) of Americans had at least one chronic disease in 2005

· 75% of the $2 trillion related to health care costs spent on individuals with chronic diseases

· Total annual cost of diabetes $174 billion

· Total annual cost associated with smoking is more than $193 billion

· Cost for heart disease and stroke estimated to be approximately $448 billion for 2008

· Estimated cost of obesity in 2000 $117

· Annual cancer related costs estimated to be $89 billion

Does Prevention Pay? You Be The Judge

According to the CDC:

· Each $1 spent on water fluoridation results in a savings of $38 for costs of dental restorative treatment

· Implementing smoking cessation interventions would cost an estimated $2,587 for each year of life saved

These are just a few of the savings that can be realized. What is needed is more research into the true benefits of health promotion, with more emphasis on lifestyle modification, and personal responsibility for health. It is past time to invest in health promotion and disease prevention. It is time to channel some of the millions of dollars assigned to finding cures for lifestyle related diseases into risks reduction through education, and support of healthy lifestyle changes and practices.