If drivers make good decisions, and go years with out getting into an accident, or ticked for moving violations, should those individuals be rewarded with lower car insurance premiums? The answer is yes, and they do. This type of insurance practice has made it an incentive to drive safe and obey the laws, and it benefits both parties. The insurance company spends less money so therefor the customer pays less for insurance. So why is this practice not found in the healthcare industry? There are many decisions that individuals can make to treat or prevent disease or illness. One of the best and most undeniable examples of how improve your overall health, is regular exercise. Today’s healthcare companies need to be fairer to its customers. People who exercise routinely should pay less for their healthcare.
Exercise is a great way to reduce your chances of getting sick. Studies have shown that exercising four to five times a week can boost your immune system in ways that modern medicine cannot. Those who exercise take half as many sick days off per year, and when they do get sick recover much faster.
This is attributed to the fact that daily exercise improves the cells responsible for fighting bacteria, and germs, which improves your immunity. Also when you exercise, bacteria is flushed out of the lungs and other organs, and also purged from the body through sweat before it has a chance to manifest and make you sick. This dramatically reduces your dependence on medical treatment, because you become more immune to common cold or flu. This overall will cut down your doctor visits every year, which saves the insurance company money.
Exercise also enhances wellbeing, helping people clear the dark clouds of depression from their lives. Anyone who has gone for a long walk, run, or had a good workout has experienced the mood enhancing effect of exercise, which keeps them coming back for more. Exercise is a
References: CDC - DHDSP - Heart Disease Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm Heidenreich, P., Trogdon, J., & Khavjou , O. (2011). Forecasting the future of cardiovascular disease in the United States: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 123, 933-944. Mayo Clinic Staff (2011, October 1). Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495 Mueller, J. (2009, October 20). Exercise Reduces Sick Time Better Than Drugs. Retrieved from http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=exercise_reduces_sick_time_better_than_drugs Persaud, V. (2013, November 1). $328: Average Monthly Health Insurance Cost Under the Affordable Care Act | NBC4 Washington. Retrieved from http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/NATL-ACA-328-Average-Monthly-Health-Insurance-Cost-Under-the-Affordable-Care-Act--225324422.html Vorvick, L. J. (2012, May 15). Exercise and immunity: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007165.htm Warburton, D. E. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174(6), 801-809. doi:10.1503/cmaj.051351 Weir, K. (2011, December). The exercise effect. American Psychological Association, 42(11), 48. Why Exercise Boosts the Immune System. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/why-exercise-boosts-the-immune-system.html