In addition to treating you when you are sick, your doctor can follow a program designed to help you stay healthy. Major causes of death can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices, and that includes practicing prevention.
Keep your shots up to date, ask your doctor about appropriate cancer screenings, women should get regular Pap smears and screen for breast cancer. Follow your doctors’ advice about check-ups, medicines that prevent health problems and healthy behaviors.
Most preventive services are paid for by health insurance. If you aren’t sure what preventive services your insurance covers read your health plan’s patient manual, visit their website or call the health plan customer service line.
"If people are constantly falling off a cliff, you could place ambulances under the cliff or build a fence on the top of the cliff. We are placing all too many ambulances under the cliff." Denis Burkitt