What would pro-active healthcare look like?

Question

I'm thinking it'd be like getting a check-up about as often as you change the oil on the car, more health and nutrition counseling, working with one physician who knows you well, etc. Rather than "hey, I'm in agonizing pain, what's up?" like we usually do.

Not sparking a political debate here... just thinking about how prevention is cheaper than cure...

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

proactive healthcare encourages healthy habits such as proper diet and regular vigous excercise

some of this should be encouraged by government such as spending for parks and bikepaths and less for coronary bypasses.

fat intake should be discourgaged... those large bottles of cooking oil should all have a 100% tax levied to discourage deep frying

prevention is definately the way to go

Answer 2

Well, yes, the annual checkup. Doctors would have more holistic solutions when patients were ill instead of pushing pills on them. Ideally, doctors would get more nutritional information than they have now and be able to suggest dietary changes, provided patients didn't lie about what they ate

Problem is, in the U.S., when you change jobs, you often change insurance, and your doctor may not accept your new insurance. And people do change jobs often--whether by finding a better-paying job or by layoffs. So working with just one doctor wouldn't work. And women go to the GYN annually, but that doctor should not be responsible for all her health care.