Probably your answer to that question is, “of course!” In fact, it almost seems frivolous to even ask the question. Good health usually means a higher quality, more productive life, correct? Conversely, bad health is usually predictive of a lower quality, less enjoyable life, correct? Those are certainly true statements, but startling information is emerging about poor health. We now know that 87 percent of all healthcare claims costs are due to an individual’s lifestyle. Eighty-seven percent of the healthcare claim costs can be traced back to many of the most simple, everyday choices we make regarding diet, nutrition, regular exercise, smoking, sugary soft drinks, and many others. These lifestyle decisions directly influence our health and – here is where the drumroll happens – our pocketbooks. That’s why we ask if good heath is worth it. Poor health habits are going to take hard-earned money right out of your wallet. So if you answered yes, that good health is worth it, but you are starting to realize that maybe you are in the 87 percent group, it may be time to make changes.
We now live in an era where everyone is increasingly responsible for out-of-pocket costs for their own healthcare, whether it is for co-pays, insurance premiums, medications or services. So while previous lifestyle decisions such as poor diet habits, avoiding strengthening, conditioning, and aerobic exercise, or continuing to smoke only made you feel tired, sluggish, sick or depressed, you can now add that it’s costing you more money and predicted to cost even more in the future. As people have become more aware of this cost to their own pocketbooks, they are worrying more than ever. Did you know that recent surveys clearly show that more people are worried about their rising healthcare costs than they are worried about losing a job, or terrorism, or stock losses or inflation? That is an almost unbelievable shift in our life “worry meter.”
The good news is that the more we know about what the true causes of poor health are, the more we understand just how easy it is to reverse poor health. Simple changes in our lifestyle such as regular exercise and attention to diet can result in major improvements in our health. It is as simple as that. It is no mystery why the American Medical Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, leading Physical Therapy Centers, and Fitness and Wellness Centers have boldly declared that “exercise is medicine.” Community wellness program opportunities include outstanding dieticians who understand and respect the economic and cultural challenges associated with changing diet habits and physical therapists who develop sound and easy to follow exercise programs for everyone of all ages and abilities. Physical therapists working with certified health and wellness professionals can provide you with many of the health solutions you need to get you out of the 87 percent category!
Good health is worth it. And now we know it saves you money! FBN
By Carl DeRosa PT, Ph.D.