Leading Health Organizations Announce Disease Prevention Platforms

U.S. Preventive Medicine commends the Centers for Disease Control for its campaign to make the United States a healthier nation.  The company also supports the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently called for children to be screened for cholesterol.  

The CDC has launched the “Healthiest Nation Campaign,” a program aimed at placing more emphasis on health promotion.  Speaking at a conference in Washington, D.C., Julie Gerberding, director of the CDC, said the United States places way too much emphasis on treating diseases rather than protecting health in the first place.

“We applaud the CDC and its campaign to shift the emphasis in our country from treating diseases to investing in disease prevention programs that truly make a difference,” said Christopher Fey. “The more steps that business and community leaders take to promote healthier communities and workplaces, the quicker individuals will develop new and healthier habits and activities.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a series of recommendations including one that pediatricians routinely check the cholesterol level of children with a family history of heart disease.

“There is a general wake-up call for cholesterol screening in this country and we fully support the idea that children should be screened for cholesterol, especially since most children and teenagers are currently not getting screened.  Doing so will not only help to identify potential health risks but also will allow for appropriate lifestyle, nutrition and exercise regimens to be applied,” said Fey.

Frederic Goldstein, President and COO of U.S. Preventive Medicine, added:  “Childhood obesity is not just a threat to the child who has the condition, but it is also a threat to our economy. Obesity and its associated conditions including diabetes, elevated cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease and depression, have a profound impact on our nation's growing medical costs. Ultimately, as these children join the workforce, their obesity has a negative impact on productivity. If we are to remain competitive in this global economy, we must take prevention seriously and reduce the incidence of entirely preventable health conditions.”