Stop Smoking!

You might not consider this medicine, but the best way to avoid going to the doctor and paying outrageous health insurance premiums is to stop smoking.

 By now you know that smoking can cause all kinds of health problems and break the bank too.   If you are smoking, there really is no better preventive medicine then to simply stop smoking.

Smoking can not only hurt you, but there is growing evidence that second hand smoke can also be unhealthy for other people as well.  

If You've Got a Baby, Breastfeed

Breast feeding is one of the easiest, cheapest most important types of preventive medicine out there.   Human breast milk has been designed over hundreds of thousands of years to provide babies with exactly what they need.  There is no way formula can compete with that.   Many antibodies are passed through the mother to the child, reducing childhood sickness and promoting greater overall family healthcare.  Not only can it keep your baby healthy, there is evidence to suggest it reduces breast cancer,  Breast feeding also provides for a strong emotional bond between mother and child, which can also lead to benefits down the line.

Get Up To Date

Vaccines are a great way to prevent disease.   Hopefully you're up to date on all the big ones, but when was the last time you had a tetanus shot?   And there has been a lot in the news lately about the HPV vaccine which can help prevent some cancers.   Some drug stores are even offering shingles vaccines now.

If you aren't sure about vaccines go to your doctor and find out what you need.  Most of the time this is covered under your insurance, especially for private health insurance plans.   If it is going to be paid for anyway, or at reduced cost, why not get it done, it could save you a lot of hassle and pain later.  

Wash Your Hands

This one simple tip can keep you out of the hospital.   This is a major way that disease is spread.  Handwashing, espeically after being out in public is a simple, cost effective way to lower your cost of health care.  Many communicable diseases are spread by first touching your hand, then having your hand touch your eyes, mouth or nose.   Its this kind of preventive medicine that can help keep your family insurance costs lower if you have a copay or a deductible.