Population Health for Health Professionals

Part II Lifestyle Factors and The Prevention Movement

Health Promotion l 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 l Concerned specifically with sociobehavorial processes

“Genes load the gun. Lifestyle pulls the trigger” Dr. Elliot Joslin Lifestyle Factors

Choices Made In Regard To: l Smoking l Nutrition l Exercise l Substance Abuse l Rest l Stress l Sexual behavior l Other Life-style Factors

Smoking “Tobacco is the most important single preventable cause of death in the United States today” USDHHS, 1990 l Responsible for 400,000 deaths/year. l Smoking is increasing among teenagers in the US

Nutrition l Poor diet and lack of activity account for about 300,000 deaths each year. l Major concerns s Obesity s High Fat Diet s High Sugar Diet

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

Exercise “If exercise came in a bottle, it would be the most widely prescribed medicine known to man.” Unknown Physician

Substance Abuse l Alcohol--“A little is helpful, too much is deadly” l Accounts for 100,000 deaths each year l Binge drinking is the number one campus life problem on college campuses in America.

Sleep l Most people need about 8 hours nightly to function at maximum capacity. l Over two-thirds of Americans report a sleep-related problem. l Sleep deprivation has been implicated in recent train, bus, and airplane crashes bringing attention to the importance of sleep.

Stress l Continual stress in life sets off chemical reactions in the body than can eventually lead to illness. l Individuals constantly under stress are at greater risk for heart disease and other conditions. l Practicing healthy habits can help alleviate stress.

Sexual Behavior l Abstinence is only sexual behavior absolutely free of risk, followed by life-time mutual monogamy entered into at virginity l Unsafe sex exposes an individual to s HIV virus s Hepatitis B s Genital herpes s Other sexually transmitted diseases s Unwanted pregnancy

Other Behavioral Contributors l Firearms s #1 cause of death among young men s Suicide and homicide in the top causes of death in the US l Pollutants and Toxins s Asbestos s Other occupational hazards

Discussion Time To what extent does behavior change require Personal Responsibility ? or Changes in Policy, Regulations, Culture ?

Growing Interest In Prevention Is Due To l National focus on prevention through Healthy People process l Debates about possible national health care plans l The move to managed approaches to care and care financing l Demand from informed consumers

Primary Reason Given for Offering Prevention Programs

Prevention Requires Changed View l Population Health s Focus on prevention s Focus on groups s Tax dollars is the main source of support s Has been administered through the public health system l Traditional Medicine s Focus on treatment s Focus on individuals s Strong advocates of free enterprise

Summary of Module 3, Part 2 l Unhealthy lifestyle factors are major contributors to cause of death in the US. l The top factors of concern are: s smoking, diet/exercise, and alcohol abuse. l The “Prevention” trend has become an important part of healthcare.

Module Authors Diane B. Wilson EdD, RD Associate Professor Mary S. McLellan MS,RD Research Associate Medical University of South Carolina