Why Self-Care & Prevention Are Important

Being an active partner in your health maximizes your chances of living a long, healthy, and productive life.

Better Health and Healthcare

Did you know that:

  • 70% of diseases are preventable. There are more than 980,000 deaths a year from preventable disease. Your lifestyle choices have more impact on your health and longevity than anything else.
  • People who are actively involved in their health are 65% more likely to have their needs met by their care provider and 46% less likely to have a delay in their care of diagnosis?

Lower Costs

Taking care of yourself prevents health problems and saves money by reducing the number of office visits and medications you need. Self-care reduces the heavy costs of healthcare associated with disease. It has been well documented that lifetime medical cost, which averages approximately $225,000 per person, is clearly linked to health habits.

Other Benefits

People who take care of their health also enjoy these benefits:

  • Improved quality of life
  • Reduced absenteeism
  • Increased satisfaction with healthcare
  • Time saved

Following the guidelines and recommendations in this section can lead to a better health experience, a collaborative relationship with your care providers, and, ultimately, better health outcomes. Reducing your lifestyle risks not only protects you from long-term disease, but  can save you from catastrophic injury or death.

What else do we need to say? Take charge of your health.

Expert Contributor: 
Mary Jo Kreitzer, RN, PhD

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