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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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Health - by choice. Now that's an interesting thought!
Many of us think of health as something that happens to us rather than something over which we have any control. The fact is that many of the world’s deadliest diseases are largely preventable - diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, childhood asthma, and obesity. These and other chronic conditions now account for 70 percent of all deaths in the United States. Yet these diseases must have causes.
What are the "causes of the causes"? If we look at the actual causes of death, we see that these are lifestyle and behavioral factors - things over which we do have some control - things like smoking, eating a poor diet, and lack of exercise, all of which contribute to the leading causes of death including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Although you can't do anything about your genetic makeup, gender, race, or age, the evidence indicates that adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco can help lower your risk of suffering the devastating effects of the leading causes of death.
As part of the Healthy People 2010 project, 10 important health issues in the US have been identified as Leading Health Indicators. These indicators are intended to help you understand the changes you can make to improve your own health as well as the health of your family and community. You will notice that these indicators are tied closely to actual causes of death:
The following links will help you make better choices about preventive care and a healthy lifestyle. Take every opportunity to improve your health!
By making healthy choices across your lifetime, you can improve the quality and length of your life.
Health - make it your choice!
This article is a NetWellness exclusive. 
Last Reviewed: Apr 03, 2007
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Phyllis L. Pirie, PhD Chair and Professor Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion College of Public Health The Ohio State University |
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Timothy J. Buckley, PhD, CIH Associate Professor and Chair Division of Environmental Health Sciences College of Public Health The Ohio State University |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) |