Changing patient health-risk behavior requires new investment in primary care

Am Fam Physician. 2008 Oct 15;78(8):924.

Abstract

Evidence supports the effectiveness of primary care interventions to improve nutrition, increase physical activity levels, reduce alcohol intake, and stop tobacco use. However, implementing these interventions requires considerable practice expense. If we hope to change behavior to reduce chronic illness, the way we pay for primary care services must be modified to incorporate these expenses.

MeSH terms

  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Expenditures
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Primary Health Care / economics*
  • United States