CHICAGO, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Medical Association (AMA)
today released its "New Year's Resolutions for a Healthier America in 1999."
1. Give up smoking or help someone else stop. If you smoke, you should be
aware that cigarettes are the only product that when used as directed by the
manufacturers, causes serious illness and even death. More than 400,000
Americans die each year as the result of a smoking-related disease. Smoking
continues to be a major health risk for people of all ages, and the numbers of
college-age smokers are rising dramatically. Between 1993 and 1997,
cigarette-use among college students increased 28 percent. Despite a major
reduction in smoking prevalence during the last 30 years, tobacco continues to
attract adolescents and young adults.
2. Practice "safer" sex. Abstinence is the only method of contraception
that is 100 percent safe. So, if you choose to be sexually active you should
always take precautions. Avoid sex with strangers or with someone who has had
multiple partners. Among adults who have multiple partners, only 56 percent
used a condom the last time they had sex. Use a latex condom every time you
have sex, and never reuse a condom. Although advancements have been made in
the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the HIV/AIDS virus
in particular, people must not become complacent in terms of protecting
themselves. In the U.S., 40,000 people contract HIV annually, and the CDC
reports that more than 110,000 under the age of 29 have been diagnosed with
AIDS.
3. Talk to your kids about alcohol and drugs. No matter how old they are,
make sure your children know they can always discuss anything with you. The
average age a child begins drinking is 12; and the average age for trying
marijuana is 13. But the curiosity about these substances often begins
sooner. Establish a clear "no-use tolerated" rule in your home for drugs and
alcohol. Explain to your children about the difference between the drugs that
you give them when they are sick and those that can harm them. Engage them in
a role playing exercise on how to say no if they are ever offered alcohol or
drugs. Most importantly, be a good listener -- surveys show that when parents
listen attentively to their children's concerns and feelings, kids feel more
comfortable talking to them and are more likely to avoid alcohol and drugs.
4. Happy New Year and happy new you! Exercise is the key. Today's
Americans are the most physically inactive generation that has ever lived.
While 82 percent of youth, age 12 to 24 participate in strenuous exercise,
only 60 percent of adults age 25 to 64 engage in strenuous exercise. Exercise
-- regular, sweat-inducing, repetitive physical activity -- helps reduce the
risk of contracting any number of diseases and, more importantly, early death.
It also helps people feel better, perform better, sleep better and become more
at peace with the world. So start your own exercise program -- but first
consult your physician. A 30-minute workout at least five times a week is
suggested. To make this fit more easily into your day, try breaking it into
10- or 15-minute segments.
5. Start 1999 with a clean bill of health -- schedule a complete physical
examination. A check-up will not only determine your current health status;
it will help you maintain a relationship with your physician. Your physician
will conduct tests that are appropriate for your age, background and health
history. This should include a blood pressure measurement and cholesterol
test. Women: Every year you should have a cervical examination. Women over
age 40 should also have annual mammograms. Men: If you are over age 40
should have a rectum and colon examination every year. Children: Make sure
their immunizations are up-to-date. Your physician should have the most
current immunization schedule.
The American Medical Association provides this annual list of resolutions
to remind us that health care is a partnership between physicians and their
patients, and that effective disease prevention begins with a positive,
healthy lifestyle in 1999.
SOURCE American Medical Association
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Related links:
http://www.ama-assn.org
CONTACT:
LaNae E. Davis, Public Information Officer of
the American Medical Association, 312-464-4418
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