November signifies the transition from fall to winter and brings families together for stories, food, and quality time. Yet, often we miss discussing critical health matters affecting our daily lives. At My One Medical Source® (MOMS), we prioritize these important health conversations, empowering families to take charge of their well-being.
We live in an extraordinary era of healthcare where information that would have astounded our ancestors is now at our fingertips. The shift from impersonal, mass-produced healthcare to personalized, individualized care is revolutionizing how we approach health. Advances in genomic technology enable us to prevent or delay diseases proactively.
Today, we focus on Alzheimer's disease, its societal impact, and proactive measures we can take. Currently, 6.7 million Americans live with Alzheimer's, a number projected to reach to 13.8 million by 2060. In 2022, caregivers provided an estimated 18 billion hours of unpaid dementia care, valued at $339.5 billion. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death, claiming over 120,000 lives in 2019. This disease poses a significant burden on our health system and the families and caregivers involved.
So, what can we do about it? While the jury is still out on whether Alzheimer's can be entirely prevented, several modifiable risk factors can influence its progression, including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol use. Protective factors include physical activity, social engagement, mindfulness, and a balanced diet.
At MOMS, we partner with top labs to help patients and families take charge of their health. We've recently added Veravas, creators of cutting-edge diagnostic kits for consumers, to our Lab/Client network, and Neurocode, offering clinical-level diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's, has been a long-time MOMS Lab/Client.
We believe life is precious. That's why we've created a network to help you and your family take control of your health this holiday season.
At MOMS, we believe Better Access leads to Better Outcomes. We aim to be a resource for health advice you can rely on.