In the United States, vaccine-preventable disease levels are at or near record lows according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, despite the records, there are still many adolescents and adults who are under immunized; thus, increasing the possibility of outbreaks of some diseases. The treatment of preventable diseases impact on the economy of the United States is quite big. A report in 2009 showed that the US spends billions of dollars for the treatment of preventable diseases. A probable reason for this is that some Americans have poor eating habits, do not exercise and are addicted to smoking and drinking. These bad habits make Americans prone to preventable diseases. The change in lifestyle choices was found to reduce the life expectancy of Americans. In a study by researchers at Harvard University and University of Washington, The US government spends approximately $1.5 trillion in the treatment of preventable diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, hypertension and diabetes.
Disease management programs benefit patients with chronic diseases because they can be granted physician visits, hospital care and prescription drugs at a lesser cost. Disease management programs help improve the patient’s well-being because they eat the right food and realize the importance of exercise. The symptoms of their disease are managed better because of the guidance of health care providers. Moreover, the patients are better able to understand their disease and follow the right treatment plan. With the appropriate treatment plan, complications are prevented.
References
Center on Aging Society. (2004, January). Disease management programs: Improving health while reducing costs? Retrieved from ihrcp.georgetown.edu: http://ihcrp.georgetown.edu/agingsociety/pubhtml/management/management.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, March 14). Vaccines and preventable diseases. Retrieved from cdc.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/
Foundation Center. (2009, November 20). Preventable diseases costing U.S. billions, report finds. Retrieved from foundationcenter.org: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=274400011
Novotny, M. (2011, July 22). The benefits of successful patient self-management programs. Retrieved from kevinmd.com: http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/07/benefits-successful-patient-selfmanagement-programs.html
Voice of America. (2010, April 7). Study says preventable diseases reduce US life expectancy. Retrieved from voanews.com: http://www.voanews.com/content/study-says-preventable-diseases-reduce-us-life-expectancy--90233817/171110.html
