Consumers Indicated Growing Belief In Prevention As A Solution To Healthcare Concerns

The poll, conducted in July 2007, asked a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults 18 years or older this question: What in your opinion are solutions to America's healthcare challenges? Their responses included:

• 68.6 percent: greater national emphasis on preventive health services
• 61.3 percent: government-required health insurance for everyone (universal healthcare)
• 48 percent: Health Savings Accounts with tax incentives that encourage people to save money for their medical needs.

The survey found that 50.2 percent of respondents said they knew of an instance where taking preventive health measures might have avoided a major illness for themselves, their family or friends. Yet, despite this personal experience, 38.5 percent said they don't worry about their health until there's a problem, and 39.5 percent said they don't know what preventive health measures they should take.

Americans want prevention, said Christopher T. Fey, chairman and CEO of U.S. Preventive Medicine. Our nation must focus far more attention and resources on preventing, rather than just treating, major illnesses so we can help reduce healthcare costs, improve employee productivity and extend the period of healthy living for all.

While most people in the survey ' 81 percent ' said their insurance covered advanced preventive health measures, such as a mammogram and colonoscopy, only 55.6 percent said they always take advantage of these benefits. This circumstance could be remedied, according to 78.8 percent of respondents, if a specific prevention health benefit was part of their overall health insurance.

Beyond the survey's findings that most Americans believe prevention is a viable solution to the nation's healthcare challenges, the medical case for prevention is equally strong: The American Heart Association reports that the lifetime risk of developing hypertension is approximately 90 percent for adults between the ages of 55 and 65. Disturbingly, one third of those affected are not aware they have this condition.

The World Health Organization reports that 50 percent of the deaths and disability from heart disease and strokes (worldwide) can be cut by a combination of simple, cost-effective national efforts and individual actions to reduce major risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking.

The American Cancer Society reports that at least half of the deaths from cancers (564,830 projected in 2006) could be prevented by greater use of established screening tests and the application of existing knowledge.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that preventive efforts can benefit the 17 million Americans with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Regular eye exams and timely treatment could prevent up to 90 percent of diabetes-related blindness.

Routine foot examinations and patient education could prevent up to 85 percent of diabetes-related amputations.

U.S. Preventive Medicine., a privately owned company, is organizing and commercializing the market for proactive preventive health services in partnership with established hospitals and physician groups.

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