Healthcare focus should be on nutrition

Nearly 96% of primary care physicians believe the nation’s healthcare system should place more emphasis on nutrition to treat and manage chronic disease, according to a new survey. Based on the 400 physicians surveyed, primary care physicians were almost unanimous in their belief that nutrition is a key role in chronic disease.“Nutrition is more than just eating a healthy diet; for patients with chronic disease nutrition acts as therapy to help them heal faster, respond better to medical care and control their disease,” said Jane V. White, PhD, LDN, RD, FADA, with the department of Family Medicine at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, who partnered with the American Dietetic Association on the survey.

Nearly half of all adults in the United States have at least one chronic disease and survey showed that physicians believed two-in-three of their adult patients who have chronic disease would benefit from nutrition services. Nevertheless, 80% of physicians admit they refrain from addressing nutrition more frequently as part of chronic disease prevention and management due to the lack of direct reimbursement for nutrition services. As the focus on healthcare reform and preventative care becomes more concentrated, physicians are pushing for governmental action.

Bonnie - the comment I highlighted is at the core of what is wrong with our health care system. Doctors admitting they do not discuss nutrition because it does not bring financial gain! I have known this forever, but I cannot understand how they can live with themselves. Implementing and utilizing prevention brings such a better quality of life than our current "dog chasing its tail" model.