Plan Ahead. Get Ahead. > Managing Your Money > Healthcare Spending
The Path to Health — and Wealth
Health-care costs are a huge burden on most Americans' pocketbooks. The best way to reduce your medical expenses is to never get sick. Although you can't control your health with 100 percent certainty, you can absolutely reduce the risk that you will face a major — and costly — illness.
Here are some strategies that can put you on the road to a hale and healthy future:
- Get a checkup. If you're over 35, it should include an EKG and screening blood tests. For men, it would also include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer. Women should have a yearly mammogram and OB/GYN appointment for a pap smear. After age 35, every two years have your blood cholesterol checked. If you have a risk factor such as diabetes, check it yearly. As women approach menopause, annual cholesterol checks are recommended. Men and women over age 50 should have a colonoscopy every five years.
- If you smoke, invest in anything to stop. A smoking-cessation program is a great place to start. And don't give up if your first or second or third attempt goes badly. Almost all successful quitters go through multiple failed attempts first.
- Get moving. There is clear evidence that vigorous exercise three or four times a week can improve your quality of life. Go on a brisk walk or try participating in athletic events with your kids. Your employer might offer wellness benefits. Try to take advantage of them to stay fit and cut down on future health-care costs.
- Reduce stress. Take time for yourself and to connect with your family. Work on communication skills, cultivating social support and exercise to improve your mental health.
- Wash your hands. It sounds silly, but the surest way to fight colds, flu and many serious infections is to keep your hands clean. Frequent scrubbing with soap and warm water will help protect you and everyone you come into contact with.
- Floss. Regular brushing and, especially, daily flossing, dramatically reduces the odds of getting tooth decay. In addition to costing you money for fillings, dental woes can lead to much more expensive problems such as gum disease and dentures. There's also good evidence that poor dental health increases your risk of heart disease.
Take the next step...
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