NEW YORK, Sept 16, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- According to every major
health organization, many costly and disabling conditions such as cardiovascular
disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic infectious diseases are linked by common
preventable risk factors -- smoking, poor dietary habits, physical inactivity
and poor hygiene.
Yet, prevention and health promotion are seldom, if ever, factored into the
fractious debate about overhauling our health care system. The system is set-up
to detect disease and treat acute illness, not to promote health, well-being and
prevention.
"America will never win the battle over health care costs if it doesn't address
the sickness crisis in this country," says Dr. David Ostreicher, a leading
public health professional and author of a new book, "Brush Your Teeth! And
Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy." Dr. David Ostreicher says, "There
is no health care crisis, America has a sickness crisis. We are too sick with
avoidable illnesses and our present policies, recommendations and legislation do
nothing to address this."
Dr. Ostreicher adds, "The answer is not to spend more money on health care. The
only answer is to stop getting sick with the most common, avoidable illnesses."
Lack of physical activity costs America over $75 billion a year, according to
the World Health Organization, and excessive dietary salt costs America $20
billion, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
Below is a chart illustrating the annual cost savings of $720 billion based on
research from prominent national and global health organizations:
THE SICKNESS CRISIS
-------------------
Disease Annual Cost Avoidability Savings
------- ----------- ------------ -------
Colds/Flu $40 Billion (2) 60% $24 Billion
Obesity $147 Billion (3) 90% $132 Billion
Diabetes $174 Billion (4) 90% (10) $157 Billion
Cardiovascular
Disease $394 Billion (5) 80% (10) $315 Billion
Cancer $72 Billion (6) 90% (8,9) $65 Billion
Preterm Births $26 Billion (1) 60% $16 Billion
Drowsy Driving $12.5 Billion (7) 90% $11 Billion
TOTAL $720 Billion
Source:
1. National Academy of Science, "Preterm Birth: Causes, Consequences,
and Prevention"
2. Archives Internal Medicine, Feb 2003
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4. American Diabetes Association, "Direct and indirect costs of
diabetes in the US."
5. American Heart Association. Centers for Disease Control:
"Preventing heart disease and stroke"
6. WHO Chronic disease information sheet
7. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
8. National Cancer Institute
9. Pharmacology Research
10. Diet and Optimal Health: A Progress Report (Dr. Walter Willett, Harvard
School Public Health)
To purchase a copy of the book go to www.brushyourteethbook.com or
www.amazon.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Ostreicher is professor emeritus at Columbia University
and The University of New Haven. He is a member of the American Dental Assn.,
American Assn. of Orthodontists, American Assn. of Dental Editors and American
Public Health Assn.. After serving many years on the Board of Directors of the
Nassau County Dental Society, he became President of the New York State Dental
Assn. Dr. David has published dozens of articles on dentistry and health. He is
a lecturer for Align Technology, the makers of Invisalign and a member of the
Dental Speakers Bureau.
SOURCE Dr. David Ostreicher
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