Recently, Mike took part in his company’s on-site health fair and found out his cholesterol levels were higher than they should be. He went to the doctor for the first time in three years and was prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication. His doctor also recommended that Mike lose weight. At 5’ 10” and 200 lb., Mike isn’t considered obese, but he’s on his way. Since his visit, Mike has avoided going to the pharmacy to pick up his medication. What’s more, Mike did not tell his doctor that he chews tobacco, another high-risk behavior. His favorite pastime is watching sports on TV and snacking on junk food, and he has not made any effort to alter his diet or begin an exercise program. He also has yet to tell his wife about his high cholesterol diagnosis, which only adds to the overall stress he feels everyday.

Mike is at the point in the healthcare continuum where he needs to start Living Healthier. At Cardium Health, we see this as the point where individuals have been made aware of elevated health risks but are not motivated to change their behaviors. As yet, they haven’t had any major hospitalization or serious complications, though they are having an impact on their company’s healthcare costs. Without necessary interventions to change current lifestyle behaviors, their conditions will likely progress to a much higher-cost chronic disease.

The lifestyle behaviors of individuals who need to start Living Healthier often tend to include physical inactivity, weight problems, tobacco dependence, poor nutritional habits, elevated stress levels, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Disease management and health improvement programs help people with these identifiable risk factors by offering program interventions that educate, support and encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Employers who offer prevention programs realize both short-term and long-term benefits. Short-term, you’ll see reduced absenteeism and improved productivity. Long-term, you’ll realize financial savings in healthcare and disability costs avoided by preventing disease progression.

Cardium Health Prevention Programs for Living Healthier include: