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(LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/NETU129LOGO )
Fey said a national push for prevention, early detection and chronicdisease management, along the likes of the Manhattan Project which developednuclear weapons in just six short years, could lessen the long term impact ofthe major financial factors -- which include a $2.2 trillion health carecrisis in tandem with the distress in the energy and housing markets -- thatcould cripple the country.
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The good news, he notes, is that there is a solution for the health carecrisis.
"According to Wikipedia, the phrase 'perfect storm' refers to thesimultaneous occurrence of events which, taken individually, would be far lesspowerful than the storm resulting of their chance combination. Suchoccurrences are rare by their very nature, so that even a slight change in anyone event contributing to the perfect storm would lessen its overall impact,"said Fey, U.S. Preventive Medicine(R) Chairman and CEO. "Ironically, ourcompany benefits from the health care crisis in that we deliver solutions,specifically prevention, early detection and chronic disease management, whichimprove health and lessen health care costs."
Numerous studies, including the 2007 Milken Institute Report: "AnUnhealthy America: The Economic Burden of Chronic Disease," forecasts theimplementation of a national effort focused on prevention, early detection andchronic disease management could save the country hundreds of billionsannually, with savings surpassing a trillion dollars annually in about 15years. This comes at a time when health care costs are doubling every seven to10 years.
"Health care as a percentage of GDP is 15 percent today and is growing to30 percent over the next couple of decades. We have created a 'sick care'health care system that is unsustainable. Coupled with the housing and energycrises, the health care crisis could be the straw that breaks the camel'sback. The solution is clear and present: prevention, early detection andchronic disease management. We need to move now," Fey said.
"Everyone has been talking so much about the housing and energy crises,that the looming health care crisis has been almost forgotten," he said. "Thisis a mistake that must be recognized by our nation's government and businessleaders. Particularly because, unlike the energy crisis, there are available,proven solutions that can lessen the economic impact on employer, governmentand consumer health care sectors. Failing to do so, could push the country tothe brink of economic disaster. Acting now could head off the pending 'perfectstorm.'"
About U.S. Preventive Medicine(R):
U.S. Preventive Medicine(R) (USPM), a privately-owned health managementcompany with clients in 23 states and two countries, is focused entirely onprevention. The Company offers employers, government agencies and consumersproprietary products that improve health and productivity while reducinghealthcare costs. Company products include: The Prevention Plan(TM), agroundbreaking personalized health, wellness and coaching program deliveredonline and telephonically; The Prevention Plan CM(TM), community-based chronicdisease management programs customized for employers and government agenciesto improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs; as well as ThePrevention Plan Premium(TM), which offers high-tech, early detection servicesin partnership with a network of physician groups, hospitals and healthsystems.
http://www.USPreventiveMedicine.com.
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