Americans need to have not only formal education but also health education. Education will assist people in understanding their bodies and health. Those who are educated utilize the health care system more effectively. More effective use of the health care system will result in improved health care and reduced health care costs.

Education needs to be implemented in a variety of places. Formal education in school is the first step. Education should include health education as well as physical education. Formal education typical stops after school is over. None-the-less education is still critical. Community programs and work site programs are two venues, which can improve health education.

While in school, health education is a critical part of improving health literacy. In 1994, only 28% of people received comprehensive health education. Areas that need to be addressed in health education include: unintentional injury, violence, suicide, tobacco use, alcohol/drug use, environmental health, physical activity, sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy.

Education is more informal when out of school. Work-site educational programs are one way to get health information to people. These systems are vastly under utilized.

Community health promotion programs are another way information is transmitted to the community. Cancer – the second leading cause of death in the over 50 population - affects many different body systems. In 2005, cancer caused 183.8 deaths for every 100,000 people.

Many strategies are used to prevent cancer. Stopping smoking is a key one. Smoking is associated with multiple cancers including: lung, oral, throat, pancreatic, stomach and cervical.

Ultraviolet light increases the risk of skin cancer. Strategies to reduce this include:

• Avoiding the sun between 10 am and 4 pm and
• Wearing clothing that protects the majority of the body such as long pants, long sleeved shirts and a wide brimmed hat can reduce exposure.
• Appling sunscreens on exposed skin will also reduce risk.

In addition to smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy weight and exercise lessens the risk of some types of cancer. Approximately 1/3 of the deaths from cancer can be attributed to diet and activity choices.

Exposure to asbestos, benzene and radiation – all occupational hazards – increase the risk of cancer. Brain and bone cancer risk is elevated with those exposed to ionizing radiation. Bladder cancer is more prevalent in those who work in the rubber and dye industry. Asbestos increases the risk of laryngeal and lung cancer. Ionizing radiation and benzene increase the risk of leukemia. Lung cancer risk is increased with asbestos, aluminum production, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, ionizing radiation, iron and steel founding, painters, radon, silica, and talc. Counseling

Counseling behaviors – another important aspect of preventative health care - includes providing the health care consumer with information in the form of literature or teaching to improve health.

Since health care consumers see primary care providers most frequently, they are typically the ones responsible for the majority of counseling. The busy primary care provider often does not have time to provide counseling so they often need to develop a plan to disseminate information to their patients.

Because multiple things that need to be discussed during an office visit much counseling is often missed. The responsibly to learn about these topics often falls on the shoulder of the individual patient. None-the-less when you discuss issues with your doctor, they have a tremendous impact on behavior. It is therefore critical to talk about the below list with your doctor every year.

Children

1. Nutrition/Exercise/Weight Management – see chapter 1
2. Drug/Alcohol/Substance abuse – see chapter 2
3. Dental Care
4. Sex Education/Sexually transmitted disease/birth control
5. Safety issues
   • CPR training for parents
   • The use of seat belts
   • The use of helmets when riding bikes/scooters
   • The use of smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors
   • Safe storage of medications in the home
   • Gun safety
   • Poison control
   • Hot water heater temperature should be set to less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit
6. Mental health issues

• Depression
• Suicide risk
• Sleep

Adults

1. Nutrition/Exercise/Weight Management – see chapter 1
2. Drug/Alcohol/Substance abuse – see chapter 2
3. Medication reviews and medication safety including the use of over the counter medications and herbal medications
4. Violence risk
5. Birth control/family planning/sexually transmitted disease
6. Self-breast exams (women)
7. Living Will/Advanced directives
8. Mental Health Issues
9. Dental Care
10. Safety issues

• CPR training
• The use of seat belts
• The use of helmets when riding bikes/scooters/motorcycles
• The use of smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
• Safe storage of medications in the home
• Gun safety
• Poison control
• Hot water heater temperature should be set to less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit