Here is One More Reason Why You Should Take Care of Your Health
The U.S. has a growing shortage of physicians, both general and specialist. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges study, there will be a shortfall of up to 139,000 physicians by 2033.
Why will there be this shortage? The large population of Baby Boomers is aging. Thus, they will require more medical care than in the past. The national population is expected to grow by 10.4 % during the 15 years covered by the study. The over-65 population, however, is expected to grow by 45.1%.
Another reason for the physician shortage is the rate of retirement of physicians. The study found that two of five active physicians will be 65 or older in the next decade. Physician burnout, at least in part from the COVID Pandemic, will cause a larger portion of the retirement eligible physicians to retire than in the past.
This shortage of physicians will be bad enough in urban and suburban centers. In rural locations, the shortage will be even more critical.
As bad as the physician shortage will be in the future, Americans are feeling the shortfall now. Even before the COVID Pandemic started in 2019, 35% of people searching for a doctor had trouble finding one.
So then, how can you take care of your health? The first step is to realize that a healthful lifestyle is not a selfish lifestyle. Do not socialize too much with those who tease you about your healthful lifestyle.
The next step is to follow a sensible lifestyle of health. That involves eating the right amount of healthy food, exercising consistently, getting enough sleep, and making visits to your doctor, when needed. My book has a lot of good information on how exercise can help you to maintain good health.
There will be other benefits to a healthy lifestyle besides just not having to deal as much with the physician shortage. You will enhance your career also and be better prepared for emergencies. In addition, if you are one of the 33% of private sector workers who does not have paid sick days, you will save money.
Saving monery is important, but, asthe Roman poet, Virgil, said, “The greatest wealth is health.”
