Promoting and Sustaining Positive Personal Health Behaviors – Putting the Person First. (21st November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Teyhen, Deydre S; Robbins, Dennis; Ryan, Barbara Agen
• Is Part Of: Military medicine. Volume 183(2018)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2018-11-21
• Subjects: Health Promotion -- Behavior Change -- Incentives; Surgery, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Societies, etc; Medicine, Military -- Periodicals; Surgery, Military -- Periodicals; Medicine, Military; Surgery, Military; Military Medicine -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.98023
• DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-4075

Abstract

Abstract: Amidst the national debate on the future of health care, there must be a focus on how individuals, communities, and the system need to change to promote and sustain health rather than reactively treat sickness and disability. To transition from a health care system to a "System for Health", we need to move from a patient-focused to a person-focused position. A system that focuses on improving personal decisions related to activity, nutrition, sleep, and tobacco-free living could have a profound impact on health and well-being. The delivery of health, instead of just health care, entails more than just preventing sickness and disability; it requires focusing on building personal wellness, resilience, and endurance. Engaging the individual person to embrace a healthier lifestyle through education, incentives, and technology we can have a positive impact on reducing costs and improving health outcomes. The purpose of this commentary is three-fold: (1) to address the need to implement prescriptions for health, (2) advocate for the need for a person-centric model to help our health care system transition to a system for health, and (3) demonstrate how simple behavior changes can help drive the change to health.