Proven Ways to Stay Healthy

May 16, 2006 — -- How can your doctor help keep you healthy?

It's not an easy question to answer, but the Partnership for Prevention, a coalition of more than 50 public and private health organizations, has studied the topic for several years. The National Commission on Prevention Priorities, chaired by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, was convened by the partnership to help guide the report.

After weighing thousands of medical studies, they have come up with a ranking of 25 clinical services that not only to help people stay healthy, they also are relatively affordable.

Just because some services ranked somewhat low, such as diet counseling, doesn't mean they aren't useful, said Ashley Coffield, a senior analyst and co-author of the study.

It probably means there has not been enough research on the topic or that people are unlikely to listen to their doctors' advice, she said.

"Obesity screening ... is not as easy as getting a flu vaccine or taking a pill. It's about what it's going to take to change diet and physical activity habits," Coffield said.

Here are the top 10 services and why they are so helpful. For the full rankings, click here: http://www.prevent.org/nccp