To: Physicians
I Pledge to Help My Patients and Their Families Live Healthier Lives
We the undersigned physicians recognize the role that we play in helping our patients and their families live healthier lives. We pledge to talk to our patients about tobacco and risky alcohol use as well as about how to eat healthier and be more physically active.
Why is this important?
Four health behaviors - tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity - contribute to the majority of all chronic diseases such as diabetes, emphysema, high blood pressure and joint pain. Physicians can help their patients by talking with them at every visit about how to improve their health by quitting smoking, eliminating high risk alcohol consumption, eating healthier foods and being more physically active.
The AMA is asking physicians to declare their public support for counseling every patient to prevent chronic diseases and improve health outcomes.
The AMA is asking physicians to declare their public support for counseling every patient to prevent chronic diseases and improve health outcomes.