Question

Preventing illness is always cheaper than treating illness. Can your give an example, and do you think insurance companies do a good job of funding preventive health care?

Answer 1

Diabetes, Type II is a serious illness but in many cases it can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy foods, limiting sugar and soft drinks, exercising regularly all can prevent this disease. Exercise can be free - taking a walk or jog around your home is all that is needed. Health foods do cost money, but things like rice, chicken, carrots, or apples are inexpensive. You do not need expensive, "fancy" food, just healthy basics that are widely available, often on sale. But if the disease is not prevented, you will need frequent doctor visits, medication, special tools to check blood sugar and other medical interventions, which cost money. Insurance does not do a great job on preventative care - the things that prevent many diseases, like good food, are not covered by insurance.