According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six out of ten adults in the US have a chronic disease, and four in ten adults have at least two chronic diseases. Cancer, stroke, and heart disease are among the top chronic diseases in the US, which are the leading causes of liability and death.
You can’t always prevent your loved ones from getting sick, but you can take some steps to reduce their risk. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few tips:
Get them vaccinated
The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. Vaccines are also available for other diseases, such as shingles, pneumonia, and hepatitis. Vaccines are one of the most important advances in public health, saving millions of lives annually. They work by protecting people from deadly diseases, such as measles, polio, and chickenpox.
Vaccination is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from disease. It’s also important to know that vaccines are safe. They’re rigorously tested before they’re ever used, and they’re continually monitored for safety. So if you’re looking for a way to protect your loved ones from disease, get them vaccinated. It could be the best decision you ever make.
Regularly consult a family doctor
Most family healthcare practices offer a variety of services designed to keep your loved ones healthy and safe from disease. By making regular appointments for check-ups and screenings, you can ensure that your family is receiving the best possible care. These appointments also give you a chance to ask your doctor any questions you may have about your family’s health.
In addition, family healthcare practices typically offer a variety of vaccinations to help protect your loved ones from diseases such as influenza and pneumonia. By keeping your family up-to-date on their vaccinations, you can help them avoid potentially serious illnesses. Regularly consulting a family doctor is one of the best ways to protect your loved ones from diseases.
Encourage healthy eating habits
A healthy diet is an important part of preventive health care. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods helps reduce the risk of developing many chronic diseases, such as stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. It can also help protect against certain types of cancer and other health conditions, such as bone loss and high blood pressure. Encouraging your loved ones to eat a healthy diet is one of the best ways to protect their health. Here are some tips to get started:
- Make fruits and vegetables the centerpiece of every meal. Encourage your family to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables at every meal.
- Limit sugary drinks and snacks. Water, low-fat milk, and unsweetened fruit juice are better choices than soda, sports drinks, and other sugary beverages.
- Choose lean protein sources. Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and tofu are all good choices.
- Go easy on the salt. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Limit processed foods and eat more whole foods instead.
Make sure they get enough exercise
Getting enough exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. Exercise helps to keep the body strong and healthy, and it can also help to boost the immune system. Additionally, exercise has been shown to reduce stress levels, which can also help to protect against disease. There are many different ways to make sure your loved ones get enough exercise, so find an activity that everyone enjoys and make it a family affair. You may be surprised at how much fun you have – and how much healthier you all become – when you make exercise a part of your daily routine.
Teach them good hygiene habits
Adults and children must both practice good hygiene habits to protect themselves from disease. Good hand-washing habits are one of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness. It’s important to wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after coming in contact with someone who is sick. In addition, everyone in the family should avoid sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes and towels. Finally, it’s important to clean and disinfect surfaces in the home, especially in areas where food is prepared.
The bottom line
If there’s one thing you need to do to protect your loved ones from disease, it’s to encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle. By making healthy choices, you can help reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases and other health conditions. So make sure they eat right, get enough exercise, and see the doctor regularly. It could be the best decision you ever make.
