The Dollars and Sense of Healthcare
Healthcare is a major expense in North America. In fact, the average annual cost per US citizen is $10,348, which is the highest in the world.
Healthcare costs are expected to increase by 5.5 percent between 2019 and 2020, and are expected to rise by 5.7 percent annually through 2026. In 1960, healthcare spending represented only 12 percent of our national income, but will grow to 19.7 percent by 2026. This means the cost of healthcare has doubled for every decade that we are living!
We would think that if we are paying more we should get more. That our outcomes would exceed those of other countries. The US, yet this is not the case.
the US ranked 26th! While we are paying the most for our care, we are getting somewhere around the worst results.
A lot of blame gets assigned to the high cost of healthcare, but one of the most significant causative factors is lifestyle. For example, the Centers for Disease Control indicate that leading disorders like heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes are heavily influenced by lifestyle choices.
Lifestyle Matters
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the leading contributors to chronic disease include diabetes, heart disease, cancer and respiratory diseases. Representing two-thirds of all deaths are: being overweight, elevated blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol use, diets low in fresh fruits and vegetables, and high in sugar, sodium and trans fats and tobacco use.
Considering that chronic disease is the leading cause of bankruptcy, there is a lot we should be doing personally to protect our greatest asset — our health.
There is no medicine or procedure as powerful as lifestyle
It’s time to stop spending so much on health care costs and start making healthier choices!
Every dollar spent managing disease is a cost, while every dollar contributing to a healthy lifestyle is an investment into your well-being. You have the power to choose every day.
Healthcare Investments Include:
- Focus your attention on early detection and prevention.
- Eat a variety of colorful vegetables and at least 3.5–5 servings of fresh organic vegetables and 2–4 servings of fruit daily.
- Reduce or eliminate the intake of added sugar, trans fats and sodium.
- Maintain a waist circumference of fewer than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.
- Exercise daily, including cardiovascular activity and strength training.
- Make sleep a priority.
- Replace sugary drinks with plain water, herbal teas or lemon water.
At the TriVita Clinic of Integrative Medicine, there are four words on the main lobby wall: “Why Are You Here?” Purpose, meaning, and choice are foundational to wellness.
You can live with greater wellness!
