Backus Hospital's guide to do-it-yourself healthcare reform.

Congress debates. Pundits proclaim. Columnists opine. No one said reforming the nation’s healthcare system would be easy. But there’s no need to wait for Washington. You can reduce waste, and improve health, today. Yes, you. Here’s how:

1. Fight obesity

Obesity is an epidemic — the fastest-growing public health challenge facing our nation. Most people know obesity is closely linked with diabetes, but it has also been shown to lead to certain types of cancer, including causing about half of all endometrial (uterine) cancer. Claire Warren, MD, a member of the Backus Medical Staff who practices at the Plainfield Walk-In Medical Center, said obesity is a major cause of diseases like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, and the key to avoid them is to lose weight. “Even if you are able to decrease your intake by 100 calories per day — that’s two cookies — and increase your exercise so that you burn an extra 100 calories per day — park farther away from your destinations, use the stairs instead of the elevator — you will lose weight over time and cut back on your risk.”

Fast fact

If rates continue to rise, by 2018, obesity will account for more than 21% of healthcare spending - $1,425 per American.
Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

Two things you can do now

Exercise.

You don’t have to look (or train) like an Olympic athlete. But you should make time for exercise every day. “Unfortunately, exercise does not exist in a pill form,” said  Geoff Fabry, physical therapist and supervisor of Outpatient Rehabilitation at the Backus Outpatient Care Center. “We must find a way to exercise daily to experience its many benefits, like improved cardiovascular health, better strength, flexibility, and mental abilities, a higher metabolism, and a decreased risk of developing osteoporosis, diabetes, and some cancers. It is often said, ‘Talk to your doctor to a make sure it is safe to exercise,’ but due to its many health benefits, the question should be, ‘is it safe NOT to exercise?’”

Cook better.

Home-cooked foods are less expensive than meals you buy, and can be much better for you. “Restaurant foods are very often high in sodium, total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. This is partly because of the large serving sizes provided and partly because they use ingredients higher in sodium and fat. While some restaurants offer healthier choices; cooking at home gives you more control over what you are eating,” said Catherine Schneider, a clinical dietitian at Backus.