Future challenges Cont.

Challenges for healthier people Increasing the span of healthy life Not life expectancy Reduce health disparities Social and economic factors Age, income, education, ethnicity, occupation

Challenges for health care Controlling costs – High technology – Physician specializing – Unneeded diagnostics for liability – Profit orientation – Effective lobbying efforts to reduce control – Health Psychologists can help by Changing unhealthy behaviors Prevention to reduce health costs

Reducing costs Switch from hospital based care to prevention, home and electronic monitoring, and self care.

Factors encouraging the growth of Health Psychology Equality between mental and physical health More holistic view of health Increased focus of behavioral factors

What are college students most at risk for? Injuries – Car crashes Alcohol Cell phones Sexual and partner violence Suicide

Become a critical consumer of health information

Adopt a healthy lifestyle Don’t smoke Don’t drink (or in moderation) Regular exercise Maintain a healthy weight Get 7-8 hours of sleep