We will have more emphasis on sleep hygiene as evidence comes in regarding the health benefits of good sleep. Being careful and using protection in sex is a health imperative for anyone not in a long-term, monogamous relationship. Teaching adolescents and adults a healthy lifestyle must include this precaution. Moderation is important in several health-related behaviors. Alcohol should be consumed safely, which generally means at home.
Moderate exercise makes the most sense for many, especially the elderly.
Eating moderately means saying no to super-sized fries and desserts. Moderation is a wise principle to live by. In this issue of Hippocrates, our cover article looks at the state of the nation's health and offers physicians tools for helping patients make important and sometimes difficult lifestyle changes. Prevention is one of the primary care physician's ways of saving lives. We may not see the results as clearly as in a surgical rescue, but we should take comfort in knowing that every time we have influenced a patient to live healthier, we may have added years of quality life.