Disease Treatment And Prevention

As the health care debate continues, the current edition of America’s Health Rankings has identified trends that support the need to ensure disease prevention is part of the health care reform.
Based on two decades of consistent tracking, the rankings survey calls for the nation to change unhealthy behaviors that are contributing to preventable, chronic diseases. Trends cite smoking as the greatest health challenge of the past 20 years and warn obesity is likely to be the next national health concern.
The health care system has become adept at treating illnesses and disease, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, Americans are struggling to modify risk factors, such as smoking, poor eating habits and lack of exercise, which contribute to chronic diseases.
The United States currently spends more than any other nation on health care, including $1.5 trillion in medical costs associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. These chronic, preventable conditions all have a direct link to smoking and obesity, the nation’s two largest national risk factors.
Making progress against smoking and obesity is a critical step to successfully tackling the health reform our nation wants to achieve.
How the nation measures up:
• Nearly one in five Americans still smoke, which is only 8 million people fewer than 20 years ago.
• Over the past 20 years, the nation has seen significant declines in infectious diseases.
• Challenges include the rising uninsured rate.
• Obesity is growing faster than any previous public health issue our nation has faced. More than one in four Americans are considered obese.
As medicine shifts from treatment of diseased conditions to potential diseases, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an obvious prospect with its emphasis on prevention of diseases in health care.
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers TCM therapies such as acupuncture, massage and Chinese herbal medicine. These therapies can aid in regulating and maintaining health.
To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director.