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Preventative Health Care in America: Pros and Cons

Traditional health care been nationally organized in American since the American
Medical Association was established 1901. However, Preventative health care is much newer,
and took an organized stance in America just over 35 years ago when the U. S. Preventative
Services Task Force was established. Over these past 35 years, the average life expectancy for
females has increased by over 5 years, and the average life expectancy for males has increased
by over 8. These significant increases present a compelling argument in support of preventative
healthcare. But before we get too far, what exactly is preventative healthcare?
Well, preventative health care consists of the things we do to prevent health problems, as
opposed to fighting problems once they arise; this ultimately holds the potential to keep people
healthier and living longer. Preventive health care can be further exemplified by looking at two
main categories. The first category consists of the things we do on a day-to-day basis to protect
our health and prevent future health problems. Some examples may include maintaining a wellbalanced diet, sticking to a regular exercise plan, and consistently taking vitamins. The second
category of preventative health care consists of the things our doctors do to monitor and protect
our health, and sometimes treat our early stage health problems. Some examples of these
preventative measures may include yearly physicals, vaccinations, and medications prescribed to
treat lingering health problems, for example, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Today, Americans are more enthusiastic than ever about these preventative health care
measures, and the possible benefits they seem to offer. For better or for worse, many people are
now committed to following strict diets and exercise regiments, and show no restraint when it
comes to prescription, vitamin, and supplement use. Doctors have gained interest as well, and are
now consistently using high-powered scans and diagnostic tools to more closely monitor patient

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health. Even large organizations and hospitals have joined the movement. For example, the
BeWell initiative at Ball State University offers $50 cash to those who meet with their physician,
receive age-appropriate physicals and scans, and complete a personal life health assessment
each year. In other words, preventative health care has become woven into American culture.
Lets now focus our attention on the validity and implications of a few of these measures,
beginning with exercise. Physical exercise is known to stimulate an increased production of our
bodies feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Exercise also helps reduce stress and
anxiety, and leads to improved sleep cycles at night. These benefits are widely accepted in the
medical field, and widely known among Americans. However, the preventative healthcare patient
base appears to be misinformed when it comes to achieving these benefits. A recent study from
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests that a modest amount of moderately
intense exercise is the best way to significantly feel better and stay healthier. Moderate amounts
of exercise are even thought to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Contrary to common
belief, this study suggests more intense exercise doesnt yield nearly the same benefits. In fact,
more intense exercise often causes more harm than good, both physically and mentally.
Providing patients with accurate, up-to-date information is therefore critical to the success of
preventative healthcare.
Lets now focus our attention on dieting. We all know the importance of a balanced diet,
which consists of protein, grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. However, so-called faddiets are gaining prevalence in this age of prevention. These diets, which were originally
advertised as fast, easy weight loss programs, are now being used in preventative health care as a
means of avoiding disease. For example, some believe a correlation exists between increased
consumption of sodium and potassium, and diseases such as Alzheimers. But, these claims have

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not been backed by substantial research and remain relatively invalid. In fact, the welldocumented research suggests just the opposite. According to a recent update from the Mayo
Clinic, the high protein/low-carb diet plans that are used in attempt to avoid disease actually
increase the risk of heart disease and can deteriorate kidney function over time. So why are
patients still committing to such obscure diets? Perhaps this is the result of non-medically
qualified organizations and individuals selling profitable diets under the disguise of preventative
health care.
The implications of modern scans and diagnostic tools being used by doctors are also
worth discussing. The health care I am referring to extends far beyond dental care and flu shots,
and now allows doctors to monitor patient health at the cellular level. But, according to a 2013
Mayo Clinic news release, modern ultrasound, CT scans and MRIs are known to detect cellular
irregularities that dont necessarily warrant treatment. Lets use breast cancer as a recent example.
After analyzing countrywide data collected by U.S. health officials, researchers documented an
increase in mammogram rates and subsequent cases of early stage breast cancer. We would
expect this increase in timely diagnoses to result in decreased deaths from this disease. However,
no significant change was noted in the death rate. How can this be true? Perhaps doctors are
finding non-life threatening tumors and treating them as cancer. Over diagnosis presents a
particularly complicated challenge to preventative health care, and can only be detected based on
analyzing critical results many months or years after treatment. The breast cancer specialty is
now leading one of the first reforms against preventative screenings, and has dropped the
recommended rate of mammograms from every year to every other year, to ensure our
prevention does not become the problem. Perhaps similar changes are needed in other areas of
preventative health care, too.

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To summarize, preventative health care is a product of our modern American
medical system, and has seemingly facilitated an 8-year increase in the average lifespan
of Americans over the past 35 years. However, a closer examination reveals the presence
of a grossly misinformed patient base when it comes to prevent. For example, a lack of
accurate and widespread information has led to a patient base infatuated with regimented
fitness and health, and unsatisfied with moderation. A lack of long-term medical
outcomes has led to the overuse of powerful medical screenings and subsequent overdiagnosis. Preventative health has been around just over 40 years, and I believe it is time
we step back and assess the current state of affairs to ensure our methods of preventing
disease do not start causing it. Providing patients with accurate, proven information is the
first step towards rejuvenating both preventative health care, and America.