Discussion 2-An Ounce of Prevention

Follow the discussion rubric to ensure you receive maximum points. You need to include in-text citations and list your references. Your posts should be around 500 words!

Remember, initial posts are due Wednesday, 4/8/26 @11:59 pm. Failure to post your initial post by this deadline results in a zero for the entire assignment.

• Initial post due Wednesday, 4/8/26 @11:59 pm
• Your initial post is submitted to the discussion board and uploaded to the dropbox as a Word or PDF file
• Failure to post/submit in both locations will result in a deduction of 7.5 points. The discussion will not be graded until it is submitted to the dropbox.
• Comments due Friday, 4/10/26 @11:59 pm
• Responses due Sunday, 4/12/26 @11:59 pm

Several resources have been posted to help you get started.

Discussion Prompt

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

The following information is from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings (2023).

“Health behaviors are actions individuals take that affect their health. They include actions that lead to improved health, such as eating well and being physically active, and actions that increase one’s risk of disease, such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and risky sexual behavior.

In the United States, many of the leading causes of death and disease are attributed to unhealthy behaviors. For example, poor nutrition and low levels of physical activity are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Tobacco use is associated with heart disease, cancer, and poor pregnancy outcomes if the mother smokes during pregnancy. Excessive alcohol use is associated with injuries, certain types of cancers, and cirrhosis.”

Many Americans suffer from chronic conditions. Health promotion and disease prevention efforts are paramount in addressing the population’s overall health and wellness and the skyrocketing healthcare costs associated with treating chronic disease.

For this discussion, please address the following:

1. Below are five health-related behaviors that can significantly impact health outcomes and healthcare costs. Considering these health behaviors and their impact on your health and the health of those around you, how would YOU rank the behaviors in order from most important (1) to least important (5)? Using information from credible references, explain your reasons for your ranking.

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol use
• Wearing a seat belt
• Eating healthy
• Physical activity

1. Discuss the possible costs to our healthcare system associated with these five behaviors over time. Use data and statistics to highlight possible health implications and outcomes. After reviewing the data, did the information change your ranking? Why or why not?
2. Next, list at least one law, rule, or policy currently in place related to each health behavior to mitigate and control the adverse outcomes or to promote and enhance the outcomes of these behaviors. Discuss why they are examples of prevention interventions.