Healthy lifestyles can cut soaring medical costs in the US

United States, 16th April: Out-of-control US medical costs are, to a great extent, the result of unhealthy lifestyles of the people, states a US insurance executive.

Revealing the details about the soaring medical costs in America, the president of Anthem Blue Cross California, Pam Kehaly, stated that the official statistics show an increase of 134 percent in the health insurance premiums in the US since the year 2002.

And the reason for these high medical costs is due to irresponsible health habits of the Americans along with loopholes in the health care programs in the US, Kehaly asserted while addressing a gathering of around 300 brokers at Woodland Hills hotel.

Medical and health care costs in the US going up ---Unhealthy eating habits of Americans like spending on eating fast food costs $566 on an average annually, she was quoted saying. And junk food is a leading cause of promoting high rates of obesity among Americans. According to an estimate, America seems to be highest rate of obese people the world over.

Nurturing health lifestyle increases average age—Kehaly, while highlighting the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle among people, said healthy habits play a vital role in increasing the average age of Americans. Cutting back on obesity, smoking, hypertension and taking to sedentary lifestyle that focuses on healthy living habits can increase the average age of a 70-year-old man to 90 years.

Good and balanced diet, lifestyle and exercise can cut 50 percent of health care and insurance costs—Kehaly asserts focus on eating a healthy and a balanced diet, regular exercise and following a healthy living can help Americans reduce health insurance and health care costs by as much as 50 percent.

Steps for increasing health awareness among Americans--Several recent legislations for promotion of healthy lifestyle among Americans are under consideration in the US. To cite an example, the Americans who are obese, smokers or suffer from diabetes are likely to be charged $50 under the Arizona Medicaid program proposal.

The aim of such health proposals is to bring down the medical and health insurance costs in the US by promoting good health among Americans. Similar health care reforms are the need of the hour for assuring best health among the Americans.