Preventative Medicine as a New Cure

Abstract

Abstract

Integrating preventative medicine into the American healthcare system will lead to greater population health, reduced healthcare inequity, and lower medical costs. Although certain aspects of preventative care are beginning to be implemented, the United States does not have a comprehensive care system in place to prevent disease. This paper will recommend a course of action to implement preventative medicine in both the clinical and community settings and will include a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed plan. Frequently cited barriers are analyzed, and proposed solutions are included. Both insured and uninsured populations are taken into account. Possible future implications of this paper include a more widespread discussion of preventative medicine and implementation of the outlined programs.

Keywords: Preventative medicine, social determinants of health, American healthcare system, clinical care, community health, disease prevention