Can Preventive Care Change Unhealthy Behavior?

Dana Blankenhorn over at ZDNET Healthcare posed a provocative question on his blog: “Is preventive care a silver bullet against rising health care costs?” If individuals have access to the knowledge they need to make the right decisions, will they in fact take greater responsibility to maintain their health and thus avoid many preventable illnesses? It seems that any proposal to reform healthcare in America is counting on it. As an example, here is an excerpt from “Call to Action, Health Reform 2009” written by Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D. MONT.)

“The Baucus plan would immediately refocus our health care system toward prevention and wellness, rather than on illness and treatment. Those who are uninsured ― and therefore less likely to receive preventive care and treatment for major conditions ― would be given a “RightChoices” card that guarantees access to recommended preventive care, including services like a health risk assessment, physical exam, immunizations, and age and gender appropriate cancer screenings recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.”

We agree with Sen. Baucus that focusing on prevention and wellness is an essential part of meaningful reform. But there is no silver bullet unless there is a significant shift in people’s attitudes about their own health. What if individuals could be given a custom health plan based on their genes and family history? As Blankenhorn asks in his blog, “Will we follow it? And what will following it cost, as opposed to waiting for your stroke, having a good time, and then dieing suddenly in middle age?”