Prevention Is Key

Everyone can benefit from prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, routine preventive care can help you stay healthy and catch problems early. Making healthy choices is also a key part of prevention and can lower your risk of many diseases. 

Preventive Screenings

Screenings can detect illness at an early stage, when treatment is likely to work best. Key screenings include:

• Tests for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol.
• STD screenings for sexually transmitted diseases.
• Cancer screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.

Ask your doctor which screenings are right for you. 

Healthy Weight

A healthy weight can prevent diseases and other health problems. If you want to maintain a healthy weight, steer clear of short-term fad diets. Rather, foster a lifestyle that includes routine exercise and healthy eating.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. Active people live longer and are at less risk for health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. Move more and sit less. Some physical activity is better than none! 

Clean Eating

According to the Mayo Clinic, clean eating means choosing whole, natural foods over processed and refined ones. To practice clean eating, you should:

• Eat for nourishment. Eat regular, balanced meals and prepare your food in healthy ways.
• Eat more plant-based foods. Eat more plant-based proteins and high-protein whole grains.

BMI

Body mass index, or BMI, is a way to determine if you’re at a healthy weight for your height. BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his or her height in meters. 

A BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 is healthy:

• If your BMI is below 18.5, you are likely underweight.
• If your BMI is 25 or over, you are likely overweight.
• If your BMI is over 30, you are likely obese. 

BMI does not diagnose body fat or health. Your doctor may look at other factors when assessing your overall health.

By making preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices a priority, you can take steps toward a healthier, longer life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mayo Clinic are independent organizations that offer health information you may find helpful. 

[Sources (accessed 11/6/2024):] 
Clean eating: What does that mean? - Mayo Clinic Health System
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Components of a healthy diet and clean eating - Mayo Clinic News Network
About Physical Activity | Physical Activity | CDC
Adult BMI Categories | BMI | CDC
Are You Up to Date on Your Preventive Care? | Chronic Disease | CDC
Testing for Diabetes | Diabetes | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/
Relationship of Income and Health Care Coverage to Receipt of Recommended Clinical Preventive Services by Adults — United States, 2011–2012
Are You Up to Date on Your Preventive Care? | Chronic Disease | CDC