Lifestyle Factors & The Prevention Movement Diane B. Wilson EdD, RD Mary S. McLellan MS,RD Medical University of South Carolina

Developed as part of an Enhanced AHEC Community Partnership for Health Professions Workforce and Educational Reform project funded by the Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA)

OBJECTIVES l Prevalence of lifestyle factors, contribution to risk of chronic disease l Prevention Programs

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 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.