Intermountain Press Release

Salt Lake City —A recent study by the Utah Foundation found that healthcare costs have risen consistently in the past decade. Although Utah enjoys some of the lowest healthcare costs in the nation and a relatively healthy and young population, the Beehive State has not escaped the national trend of escalating costs.

While the upward trend of healthcare costs is expected to continue into the future, the rise has slowed in recent years. However, that doesn't mean that healthcare costs will stop rising, says Tamara Lewis, MD, director of Community Health and Prevention at Intermountain Healthcare.

"There are ongoing factors that will continue to contribute to the rising cost of healthcare," Lewis said. "The largest factor, accounting for about half the annual increase, is that society is using more healthcare than in the past."

Studies have found an aging population, unhealthy lifestyles, the availability of new treatments, and increased consumer demand are driving this increase in usage Lewis says.

"This doesn't mean that we can't do anything to help keep our personal health care expenses lower," Lewis says. "By being smart consumers and following good principles of health we can impact how much we personally pay for health services."

Lewis gives seven tips of things individuals can do to impact their health expenses, as well as lower the overall cost of medical services in our communities.

SEVEN HEALTH TIPS

1. Exercise. If exercise is not part of your daily routine, make time to get moving. Walking daily at a brisk pace for 30 minutes can help lower your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
2. Eat healthy. Studies show that about half of Utahns are either moderately or extremely overweight. Good nutrition not only helps you maintain a proper weight, but also contributes to a healthy body.
3. Use generic prescriptions. When available, the use of generic prescription medications can dramatically decrease the costs of needed medicines. The average retail cost of a generic medication is $17, compared to brand-name medications that average $72, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
4. Get immunized. Basic immunizations will help you avoid diseases that are very costly to treat.
5. Get screened. At certain ages there are recommended screenings to detect possible health problems. While there is generally a cost for the screenings, the testing is far less expensive than treating a serious problem that could have been detected earlier.
6. Don't smoke. This will help prevent many diseases that afflict the users of tobacco. Utah has the lowest smoking rate in the nation, with only ten percent of citizens using tobacco. Call the Utah Tobacco Quit Line at 888-567-TRUTH for help.
7. Get a doctor. Get to know your doctor and make sure he or she knows you and your medical history. Your primary care physician reviews your medical history, cares for your overall health, can help you prevent or manage medical conditions, and is available for follow-up care.

By staying healthy and being a wise consumer of medical services, you can make a difference, Lewis says. When it comes to the cost of healthcare, making informed choices really does make a difference.