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Lifestyle Factors &Lifestyle Factors &The Prevention MovementThe Prevention Movement

Diane B. Wilson EdD, RDMary S. McLellan MS,RD

Medical University of South Carolina

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Developed as part of an Developed as part of an Enhanced AHEC Community Enhanced AHEC Community

Partnership for Health Partnership for Health Professions Workforce and Professions Workforce and Educational Reform project Educational Reform project

funded by the Health funded by the Health Resource and Service Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) Administration (HRSA)

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OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

Prevalence of lifestyle factors, contribution to risk of chronic disease

Prevention Programs

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Health PromotionHealth Promotion

Any intervention that seeks to eliminate or reduce exposures to harmful factors by modifying human behaviors; or any combination of health education and related organizational, political and economic interventions designed to facilitate behavioral and environmental adaptations that will improve or protect health

Concerned specifically with sociobehavorial processes

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““Genes load the gun.Genes load the gun.Lifestyle pulls the trigger”Lifestyle pulls the trigger”

Dr. Elliot Joslin

Lifestyle Factors

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Choices Made In Regard To:Choices Made In Regard To:

Smoking Nutrition Exercise Substance Abuse Rest Stress Sexual behavior

Other Life-style Factors

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SmokingSmoking

“Tobacco is the most important single preventable cause of death in the United States today” USDHHS, 1990

Responsible for 400,000 deaths/year. Smoking is increasing among teenagers

in the US

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NutritionNutrition

Poor diet and lack of activity account for about 300,000 deaths each year.

Major concernsObesityHigh Fat DietHigh Sugar Diet

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Healthy Eating Healthy Eating RecommendationsRecommendations

Eat at least three modest meals/day Moderate fat intake Moderate sugar intake Avoid large portions Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables

daily

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ExerciseExercise

“If exercise came in a bottle, it would be

the most widely prescribed medicine known to man.”

Unknown Physician

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Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse

Alcohol--“A little is helpful, too much is deadly”

Accounts for 100,000 deaths each year Binge drinking is the number one

campus life problem on college campuses in America.

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SleepSleep

Most people need about 8 hours nightly to function at maximum capacity.

Over two-thirds of Americans report a sleep-related problem.

Sleep deprivation has been implicated in recent train, bus, and airplane crashes bringing attention to the importance of sleep.

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StressStress

Continual stress in life sets off chemical reactions in the body than can eventually lead to illness.

Individuals constantly under stress are at greater risk for heart disease and other conditions.

Practicing healthy habits can help alleviate stress.

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Sexual BehaviorSexual Behavior

Abstinence is only sexual behavior absolutely free of risk, followed by life-time mutual monogamy entered into at virginity

Unsafe sex exposes an individual toHIV virusHepatitis BGenital herpesOther sexually transmitted diseasesUnwanted pregnancy

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Other Behavioral ContributorsOther Behavioral Contributors

Firearms#1 cause of death among young menSuicide and homicide in the top causes of

death in the US Pollutants and Toxins

AsbestosOther occupational hazards

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Discussion TimeDiscussion Time

To what extent does behavior change require

Personal Responsibility ?or

Changes in Policy, Regulations, Culture ?

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Growing Interest In Prevention Growing Interest In Prevention Is Due To Is Due To

National focus on prevention through Healthy People process

Debates about possible national health care plans

The move to managed approaches to care and care financing

Demand from informed consumers

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Primary Reason Given for Primary Reason Given for Offering Prevention ProgramsOffering Prevention Programs

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Other reasons

Onset of managed care

Patient demand

To decrease medical costs to patient

To reduce health risk factors for patients

Marketing efforts to community

Percent

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Prevention RequiresPrevention RequiresChanged ViewChanged View

Population Health Focus on prevention Focus on groups Tax dollars is the

main source of support

Has been administered through the public health system

Traditional Medicine Focus on treatment Focus on individuals Strong advocates of

free enterprise

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Summary Summary

Unhealthy lifestyle factors are major contributors to cause of death in the US.

The top factors of concern are:smoking, diet/exercise, and alcohol abuse.

The “Prevention” trend has become an important part of healthcare.