Released November 10, 2008
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. -- Mandy, a 32-year-old single working mother with two daughters suffers from chronic insomnia, a nightly battle with sleeplessness caused by fear of what could happen the next day.
She scratches by on $40,000 a year working as an administrative assistant for a medium-sized trucking company that doesn't carry health insurance.
Like millions of other uninsured Americans, Mandy has spent years stowing away money for a rainy day, even though she knows a serious illness could wipe out these savings and drive her to bankruptcy.
This cold, hard reality is what keeps her awake at night.
While health insurance is beyond her reach, there is one thing she can do: take precautions now to avoid costly medical bills later.
"It's a lot like the old 'pay me now or pay me later' oil filter commercial from a few decades ago," says Robert Keith, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System nutrition and health specialist.
Keith is referring to the classic commercial in which an auto mechanic smugly advises the customer to buy an oil filter now or pay huge bucks later for a burned out engine.
So it is with our health: All of us can take relatively inexpensive steps now to safeguard our health or pay thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars more years from now, Keith says.
In Mandy's case, a $50 pair of walking shoes is the equivalent of the oil filter, a one-time, comparatively cheap investment that could make all the difference in the world.
"Walking is the cheapest and probably one of the best effective measures you can take to prevent chronic disease," Keith says.
Keith points to a mountain of research findings showing that the most physically active people tend to face the lowest incidents of chronic disease, including heart disease, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, and even some types of cancer.
Even more acute problems, such as infections, often can be prevented through frequent exercise, such as walking, Keith says, adding that moderate exercise has been shown to boost the immune system.
On the other hand, sedentary living is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases.
Federal health experts currently recommend at least a 30-minute daily walk at least 5 times a week, though Keith says this should be viewed only as a rule of thumb.
"The idea is to walk as much as you can whenever you can," Keith says, adding that some people especially pressed for time may want to break daily walks into smaller 10- and 15-minute increments scattered throughout the day.
Keith says this comparatively minor investment in walking shoes and in time could pay huge dividends over the long haul.
"It's pay me now or pay me later, and the upfront payment, say, $50 for walking shoes and 30 minutes of your time, is a lot cheaper than the steep medical costs you may pay later on after developing hypertension or diabetes through lack of exercise," he says.
Over time, this walking program could be expanded into a full-fledged jogging program, which is more efficient in burning calories and exercising the heart, though Keith advises consulting with a physician first.
But walking and jogging are not the only options, Keith says.
Other effective options may include TV exercise programs or a fitness DVD or even some of the new video games that require exercise to play.
"Find the one that is best suited to you, and follow it regularly," Keith advises.
Other options include exercise bicycles or elliptical trainers, which often can be bought comparatively cheaply off the Internet, at a yard sale or through classified ads.
"You just have to make it fit for you," he says. "We're all individuals with different lifestyles."
Even developing a morning calisthenics program including pushups, crunches, jumping jacks, and knee bends can be effective.
The important thing to remember is that there are a number of inexpensive and effective ways to stay fit, Keith says.
"Exercise is no guarantee you're not going to get sick, but in the end it's going to reduce your chances of developing chronic disease and acute illness, which, in turn, may make the lack of health insurance somewhat easier to bear," he says.
"Moreover, it will help Mandy sleep better," Keith adds, "which will also be good for her health."
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