As a nation we have historically found expensive cures for illness and disease rather than focusing on effective prevention. The result is a national health crisis, in which more than 1.7 million Americans die each year from chronic diseases, accounting for about 70% of all U.S. deaths. Although our population is aging, a full one-third of the years of potential life lost before the age of 65 are due to chronic illness. The good news is that, although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly of all health problems, they are also the most preventable.

Five diseases cause more than two-thirds of all U.S. deaths annually – heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (bronchitis, emphysema) and diabetes. Early detection plays a large role in aggressively treating these illnesses and in preventing long-term disability.

Preventive screenings, testing and follow-up are essential in providing you with the knowledge you need to address health problems in the early stages, when they are easier to treat and when treatment is more effective. Regular screenings for conditions such as high blood pressure, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, diabetes and obesity can have dramatic results in combating these conditions.

In addition, behavior modification, such as smoking cessation, exercise, reduced alcohol consumption and healthy eating, has been proven to significantly reduce the risk factors that underlie our nation’s biggest health problems.

Preventive medicine calls for a paradigm shift in the minds of Americans who traditionally get sick first and seek treatment afterwards. The Center for Preventive Medicine® is part of a revolution in health care in which proactive steps can help detect illness before symptoms ever appear. The testing and diagnostics performed at our Centers are simple, painless and affordable and will provide you with the knowledge you need to improve the quality and longevity of your life to enjoy More Good Years™. Visit your local Center today, so tomorrow you can start living a healthier, longer life.