Despite all future developments, Americans will have to take many of the same precautions against poor health and disease in the next millennium that they have taken in this one.
For those who haven't been taking those precautions, there is no better time to start than now.
The American Medical Association (AMA) said the best way for individuals to begin improving their health in the Year 2000 is by establishing a partnership between their physician to help them take charge of their health.
To get started,
- Begin the new millennium as a non-smoker. Unfortunately, none of the new technology or medical treatments that we anticipate will reduce the harm nicotine causes the human body. Tobacco causes more than 400,000 deaths each year and results in annual cost of more than $65 billion in direct medical costs.
- Eat right and keep the pounds off. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 60 percent of American adults are not physically active on a regular basis -- and 25 percent of them are not active at all. A combination of good nutrition and good exercise can not only prevent obesity, but it can reduce the risk of a number of diseases.
- Be cautious of the health information you get on the Internet. When it comes to health information, your most trusted source is your physician. Talk to your doctor about any information you get from the Internet -- especially information about medication, treatments or surgeries.
For more information on good health practices for the year 2000 and beyond, visit the AMA Web Site at www.ama-assn.org