INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Dr. Ann Hester to provide another commentary in a series.

The Dr. Ann Hester Commentaries

Ingrain, internalize, and integrate these three pivotal words into the core of your consciousness: Prevent. Treat. Reverse. Why? Because annually, a staggering toll of over 10 million lives succumb to diseases that are preventable, treatable, or reversible. Yet, this figure merely scratches the surface of the epidemic we face. Beyond the millions who tragically perished, countless others endure the relentless grip of these ailments, suffering needlessly. While they may not meet their demise in the immediate year, their lives are undeniably cut short prematurely, trapped by the clutches of chronic illness.

Consider the ripple effect of each premature loss. For every individual who succumbs, there exists a web of loved ones left to grapple with profound grief and hardship. The repercussions reverberate through families, friendships, and communities, leaving indelible scars on the hearts and minds of those left behind. Such devastation can manifest in myriad ways, from crippling depression to dangerous coping mechanisms like substance abuse, which only exacerbate the cycle of suffering.

Delve deeper into the ramifications of these afflictions. Alcohol abuse not only ravages the body but can also lead to legal consequences and incarceration. Similarly, substance misuse takes a toll on both physical and mental health, often culminating in legal entanglements. Even mental health disorders like depression carry grave implications, amplifying the risk of fatal conditions such as heart attacks. These are glimpses of the multifaceted iceberg looming beneath the surface of preventable, treatable, and reversible diseases.

Central to this narrative is the sobering realization that a staggering 80% of medical visits stem from ailments rooted in lifestyle choices. Shockingly, poor dietary habits claim more lives than even cigarette smoking—a testament to the urgent need for widespread lifestyle reform. Pursuing healthful living often takes a back seat in a society enamored with convenience and fleeting pleasures. Fast food reigns supreme, time is a precious commodity, and healthy meals are dismissed as costly and time-intensive luxuries.

However, the time for complacency has long passed. We must shift our focus from immediate gratification to preserving our collective future. Each choice we make today—each meal, each moment of physical activity—has profound implications for the years to come. Embracing a paradigm shift towards wellness is not merely an option; it is a moral imperative, a pledge to safeguard our well-being and future generations.

Indeed, the stakes are high, but so too are the rewards. By prioritizing prevention, treatment, and disease reversal, we pave the way for a brighter, healthier tomorrow. It is time to cast aside the shackles of convenience and embrace a future defined by vitality, longevity, and resilience. Ultimately, the legacy we leave behind is not measured in years but in lives transformed and futures reclaimed.

Ann M. Hester, M.D. is a board-certified internist with over 25 years of experience. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Hester believes when patients are taught exceptional “patient skills,” they become empowered to play a previously unimagined role in optimizing their medical care and minimizing medical costs. Her mission is to share these critical skills by various means, thereby improving patient outcomes and strengthening the U.S. healthcare system. This mission started in medical school when she witnessed the tremendous gap between how patients and doctors think. Over the years, she has written various patient empowerment pieces online and through books. Her latest book is Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it’s an adventure! This unique work takes an unprecedented step in helping people think more like doctors and position themselves at the center of their healthcare team.

Learn more at https://www.patientempowerment101.com.

Connect with her through social media:

Twitter: @patientworldnet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patientempowerment101

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