A healthier community also helps reduce costs

By Tim Charles

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Cedar Rapids is one of 11 community finalists hoping to earn the Blue Zone designation as judges from the Blue Zone Selection Commission were welcomed March 1. Now it's time to get to work and prove ourselves by improving our overall health and well-being.

In case you aren't aware, Blue Zones are the healthiest, happiest, longest-living cultures on earth, where people reach the age of 100 at rates of 10 times more than in the United States.

According to the 2011 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Iowa currently ranks as the 16th-healthiest state in the nation. We need take on the battle against chronic diseases - such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, asthma and diabetes - by leading healthy lifestyles and becoming role models for the rest of the country. More than 133 million Americans, or 45 percent of the population, have at least one chronic condition.

The 2008 “Iowa: Burden of Chronic Diseases report” reveals nearly two-thirds of us are overweight, 80 percent don't eat enough fruits or vegetables and more than half do not exercise enough.

Educating people about healthy habits is part of the solution, but the bigger challenge is to encourage and hold individuals accountable as they implement these changes. Regardless of whether our state is officially “Blue” or not, we can work together to meet Iowa's Healthiest State Initiative to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation by 2016. We'll be more physically, as well as fiscally, fit as the burden of health care costs is reduced.

The treatment of chronic illness consumes the biggest share of health care costs. The diagnosis of childhood chronic diseases has almost quadrupled over the past four decades.

Chronic disease also takes a toll on the nation's economy by lowering productivity and slowing economic growth. Implementing health and wellness programs (such as Mercy's Wellness Challenge program) can reduce loss of productivity, as well as improve the overall mental and physical health of employees.

Despite the economic and health benefits of prevention, the 2009 Almanac of Chronic Disease reports less than 1 percent of total health care spending goes toward prevention.

His Hands Free Medical Clinic and the Community Health Free Clinic serve our community by providing free care to the under- and uninsured, an underserved population who often do not get the preventive care they need and escalate health care costs by seeking emergency care when their illnesses are more advanced.

Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Mercy Medical Center is one of only eight facilities of its kind, helping people better manage their disease.

We know that children can only become healthier with support from home. In fiscal year 2011, Mercy's Fit Families program showed 42 percent of participants had maintained or lost weight during the program;

66 percent of participants maintained or reduced blood pressure readings.

While employers and schools can help in the fight against chronic disease, seeking regular preventive care is a critical part of the solution. The Medical Home standard of care model means physicians spend more time upfront with patients to prevent health emergencies and the development of chronic conditions.

Every one of us can make a difference in our community. The 15,793 people who participated in the Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer helped support 837 free mammograms and other breast-care services to area individuals in need. Participating in local run and walks have a double benefit - you get exercise while helping provide funds for others to improve the health of others.

Together, we can enhance the health and well-being of our community. Standing on our nationally recognized quality leg, Cedar Rapids' imperative now is to attack the remaining two legs: the community's overall health status and reduced costs.

Tim Charles is president and CEO, Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Comments: tcharles@mercycare.org