Periodic health monitoring

Abstract

The average American has come to expect good health as a natural occurrence. In fact, confidence in physicians as healers has often led to blatant disregard for prudent health measures, as is evidenced by the large numbers of Americans who are obese, smoke, ingest alcohol and other dangerous drugs, eat nutritionally deficient foods, and lead sedentary and stressful lives. Proponents of health promotion contend that physicians should share with patients their wisdom in how to stay healthy. The best way to start, according to Dr Fletcher, is to incorporate periodic health monitoring into clinical practice to individualize the approach to preventive health care.