Healthy Aging Month

September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to focus on prioritizing healthy habits and advocate for a healthcare system that supports patients as they age. The National Institute Of Aging, a division of The National Institutes of Health (NIH), uses this month to promote and discuss the advances in healthy aging and share scientific-backed studies to encourage people to age well. Each year, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion provides a list of priorities for healthy aging. This week on Fox 17, Dr.Bitner shares recent advancements and encourages others to take control of their health in areas that need improving. 

Fact #1

Our healthcare system has a continual review process. In order to meet health needs,  the NIH has developed a system to check healthcare’s progression and identify areas of improvement. It reviews what areas we have advanced in, where we have advanced some, and where we need to improve. This aims to provide clear objectives and data to support health providers in delivering the best care for healthy aging.  

Fact #2

Here is a summary of this year’s list from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 

Improvements:

• Reduced cancer deaths (lung, colorectal, breast).
• More Medicare patients with kidney failure are getting blood tests.
• Increased kidney transplants within three years.
• Fewer people with debilitating chronic pain.
• Reduced heart disease deaths.
• Decrease in smoking and related deaths.

Successes:

• More adults are receiving dental care.
• Reduced ER visits for non-fatal injuries and narcotic misuse.
• Reduced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) deaths.
• Better management of pain medication to reduce overuse.

Areas for Improvement:

• Increase breast cancer screenings.
• Reduce prostate cancer deaths.
• Improve diabetes care (blood sugar monitoring, eye exams).
• Enhance patient-provider communication.
• Decrease suicide and asthma deaths.
• Encourage more physical activity.
• Reduce stroke deaths.

Fact #3

Advancing healthcare requires innovation. To advance, medical providers must continue to push forward and not be afraid to try new things. In a field that requires advancement, medical providers must personalize their approach, fail fast, learn from their mistakes, and adapt. When hormone replacement therapy  (HRT) was first introduced, many providers were quick to dismiss it without fully understanding its benefits. It took both providers and patients advocating for new treatments to demonstrate the value of HRT, which is now successfully helping tons of women with their menopause symptoms. This journey exemplifies how advancements in healthcare often begin. As patients, be empowered to take control of your health journey by asking for what you need. To make a difference in preventing and treating sickness, patients, and providers must push for better healthcare.

Fact #4

Healthcare needs a greater emphasis on preventive care. This year’s list highlights gaps in healthcare’s approach to preventative care, emphasizing the need for prioritizing early intervention to support healthy aging. By connecting with patients, identifying individual risks, and creating a personalized plan, we can decrease the risk of many major diseases.  With new and better testing for genetics, individual risk, patient’s current state, and knowing what reduces risks, providers can provide patients with the tools and insights needed to actively shape their future health. 

Patient Story: 

At 43, Jane was struggling with night sweats, irritability, and changes in her bladder, weight, and energy levels. To make things worse, her cholesterol was rising, and Jane became prediabetic. Jane was frustrated with her doctor’s level of care and knowledge of menopause, so she decided to go to a certified menopause provider.

After visiting with her new doctor, Jane started on MHT. Since then, she has slept better, providing her with more energy. Increasing her daily physical activity level also helped her mood improve,  allowing her to reconnect with family and friends. Jane was grateful she could reclaim her health because her new doctor invested in her individual needs and provided her with the resources she needed to age well. 

Takeaway Tip:

If you’re a patient struggling to get the care you deserve, don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek a medical provider trained to meet your needs. Know your risk and advocate for the resources necessary to support your health.

Watch the full segment here.