|
|
Biography |
|
|
Pierre Anhoury, MD, MPH, is the director of strategy and business development for iPRI, the international prevention reserach institute. He spent the last 27 years working in the field of healthcare and pharma consulting. In addition to consulting, Dr. Anhoury’s experiences include a year with the ECRI Institute, a non-profit collaborating center affiliated with the World Health Organization, and multiple teaching roles in public health, health economics, and healthcare management. His academic credentials include MD and MPH from Nancy University in France and MSc in risk management from the University of Health Sciences in Chicago and a Degree in Clinical Oncology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction to the roundtable:
Prevention is the most effective program for a better health
It has an impact at all ages
It is generally neglected
It relies on education, vaccination, screening campaigns, early diagnosis and access to care
Effective prevention can save money and improve health budget efficiency (health economics)
iPRI is the most advanced research institute in the field of prevention. It is based in France. It delivers research, publications, training and consultations for governments and industries.
Society is now taking conscious steps in looking for ways to prevent serious disease and to encourage individuals to develop a healthier lifestyle. A Healthy Lifestyle has not been defined and it may never be possible to do so in a generic manner: lifestyle choices are very individual centric. There are lifestyle choices for the individual to take, many of which can lead to a healthier lifestyle. There are also interventions that can be taken to prevent infectious diseases by vaccination and to reduce the impact of several chronic diseases by screening, early detection and delivering appropriate therapy when chances for cure are much higher.
Tobacco use, chiefly cigarette smoking, causes a wide variety of diseases many of which are highly fatal: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and a wide variety of other forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, neurological system, eyes and skin. Alcohol use causes a variety of diseases and premature death both resulting from excessive drinking and moderate drinking. In addition to a series of cancers, alcohol consumption is associated with a wide variety of accidents and injuries, frequently during leisure activities. A healthy diet offers protection against cardiovascular disease and, perhaps, cancer (although evidence of this is still lacking). Avoiding underweight, over-weight and obesity is essential for avoiding increased risks of a variety of diseases and conditions. Care is essential in the sun and use of sunbeds should be avoided. Vaccination is important to reduce, even eliminate, many infectious diseases.
Continual monitoring of key risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes are also an essential component of a plan for a healthy life. There are active actions that can be taken against serious chronic disease. Cancer screening for Breast Cancer, Cervix Cancer and Colorectal Cancer is strongly recommended. For other forms of cancer, such as ovary, lung, melanoma, prostate and stomach there is no convincing evidence of efficacy at this time. Consideration should be given under medical advice, to prophylactic use of statins and aspirin against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Finally, prevention of hearing loss is essential to avoid cognitive disorders in an ageing population.
|
|
|
|
|