DHH Secretary Greenstein Urges Personal Responsibility for Healthier Lifestyles on "World Health Day"

Thursday, April 7, 2011  |  Contact: Lisa R. Faust; (225) 342-7913 or (225) 252-3579 (cell)

BATON ROUGE - Today, as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) celebration of "World Health Day," Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein calls on Louisianians to own their health by engaging in healthy behaviors and being responsible consumers of health care.

"Louisiana is recognized for our world-class food and entertainment. There is no reason that we can't earn equal acknowledgment for the health of our state," said Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. "I call on each of us to incorporate healthier habits into our daily routines from this day forward. We all have a personal responsibility to take better care of ourselves and our families. We must own our health."

DHH offers several strategies than can give you higher energy, a better health care experience, resistance to illness, and protection from serious conditions. Start living well now by using the advice below.

Develop healthy habits. Getting appropriate rest, eating a more balanced diet and exercising regularly can improve your health and give you the energy you feel you have been missing. Also, you can prevent illness through basic hygiene. Wash your hands regularly with antibacterial soap to prevent germs.

Learn about your condition. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma, look into ways that you can manage it. Get all the details you can from your doctor and from resources such as Louisiana Health Finder (http://www.healthfinderla.gov), and become the expert on your condition. Knowing more will help you feel more in control, and it will make you more aware of issues that can affect you.

Get timely care. Go in for health care as soon as you need it. Delays in getting care can make health problems more serious, more costly and harder to treat. If you are unsure whether you need care, consult your doctor's office and resources available through this website.

Follow treatment plans. If you get sick or injured, follow your treatment plan to help recover faster. Visit http://www.healthfinderla.gov for several guides with tips on how to stick to your plan for the best results.

Find support. Support groups for health issues can be a vital source of encouragement and practical advice. Depending on the guidelines of the support group, you might go with a family member or friend. Support groups provide a wealth of real-world experiences you can use to apply to your own life.

Understand your medications. Keep an up-to-date list of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements. Include brand and generic names, dosage strengths (for example, 20 milligrams) and dosing schedules (such as once a day). Note any drugs that have caused you unwanted effects.

For more information on the World Health Organization's World Health Day, visit http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2011/en/index.html.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook page.