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Survey shows recession is impacting preventive health

Survey shows recession is impacting preventive health (Added: October 20, 2009)

The recession has cost people money, jobs and a recent study says their health could be next. A Blue Cross Blue Shield survey says nearly 3 in 10 North Carolinians are cutting their health relate ... (more)

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Survey shows recession is impacting preventive health

By Andrew Doud
Published: October 20, 2009

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In fact, 17 percent of North Carolinians surveyed say they are not getting a regular physical exam. 18 percent have given up dental visits because of cost.

Its figures like these that have medical professionals worried. “There's an old saying that says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Dr. John Smith, medical director for BCBSNC.

A commitment to prevention brought physicians, health experts and government officials from across the state together via satellite feeds from Raleigh.

"Over the last several years we have lost ground in term of preventive health," said Smith.

The goal of this state wide summit is to address that concern and the fact that the recession has impacted people life style choices in an effort to save money.

Smith said, "People are more uninsured, more unemployed and you have rising health care costs. People tend to prioritize and preventive health is usually not on the top of that list."

It's a problem Smith says can cost you without you knowing. “Things like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure. A lot of these illnesses are silent, meaning you don't feel bad."

Another issue is health insurance. Almost 17 percent of North Carolinians are without health insurance, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

That translates into higher costs and therefore fewer trips to the doctors. The Blue Cross Blue Shield study showed uninsured North Carolinians are 34 percent more likely to postpone health screenings and specialists visits than someone with insurance.

The survey results are based off 501 North Carolinians who participated.