How Not to Get Sick

Young Adulthood 19-35

9 of 37

At the Doctor's Office

By TIFFANY SHARPLES

Inspirestock / Corbis

Article Tools

Sphere

RSS

"Patients really should be empowered," says Dr. David Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. "You shouldn't assume that your doctor knows everything he or she should know." So preserving your good health means educating yourself. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force maintains comprehensive guides to the latest recommendations for disease prevention, which include blood-pressure screenings for all adults over 18, cervical-cancer screenings for all sexually active women, and counseling to help you quit smoking and keep a healthy weight and consume alcohol moderately, among other good habits.

Next: Diet and Nutrition >>

9 of 37

Staying Sane May Be Easier Than You Think

Psychological woes are not your fault. But if there are ways you can keep your body from breaking down, then why not your mind?

Mental Illness Prevention

Most psychological conditions don't strike overnight. Staying mindful of the warning signs — and taking smart prevention steps — may keep you well

Food as Pharma

Can eating "functional foods" prevent chronic disease?

Functional Foods

They're found on most grocery store shelves: functional foods are products enhanced with extra health-boosting ingredients they wouldn't naturally contain

Getting Well While You Shop

More and more people are seeing their care provider in the same place they shop for groceries and shampoo. Is this good medicine?

This Doctor Does Not Want To See You

At least not if you're sick. He'd much rather talk to you about staying healthy in the first place. How one hospital is changing the conversation that physicians have with their patients — and pointing the way to a smarter approach to health care