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Since the United States is one of the most diverse nations in the world, you would expect that the healthcare issues facing its citizens would be wide-ranging. Surprisingly, many of the healthcare trends across the U.S. tend to be fairly consistent, meaning there are some problems that people and healthcare providers need to understand to focus on prevention and quality care.

The Number One Health Condition in the U.S.

Heart disease remains the number one health condition in the U.S. It is one of the leading causes of death among Americans, linked to over a quarter of deaths each year. 

To prevent heart disease and focus on heart health, physicians recommend that people limit alcohol consumption, include fresh produce in their diet, and incorporate physical exercise into their routine. 

Obesity and weight gain are strongly linked to heart health and heart disease. Americans struggle with maintaining a healthy weight due to a lack of time and resources. 

According to the American Nutrition Association, many parts of the country are known as “food deserts,” meaning that over a third of the population lives an unreasonable distance from healthy food providers. Likewise, many in the U.S. live in communities that are “play deserts,” meaning there aren’t any outdoor spaces that are safe for activities. 

Growing Resistance to Bacteria and Treatment

Another top health issue facing Americans is the growing resistance to some bacterial strains as well as some types of antibiotic treatment. Bacteria can evolve quickly, which makes it challenging to treat when there is also a resistance to antibiotics. Researchers have continued to study new strains of strep throat, MRSA, and tuberculosis, which place challenges on health care providers when there are fewer ways to provide treatment. 

Stress Has a Significant Impact on Americans

Another public issue facing Americans that can also impact heart health is stress. The Harvard School of Public Health released a poll revealing that a quarter of Americans are under a “high” level of stress. 

Stress can impact a person’s mental health, but also has other far-reaching health consequences. Stress can contribute to other health conditions such as sleep problems, headaches, muscle pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Experts recommend that people who are dealing with high levels of stress find effective coping mechanisms and schedule routine checkups with their provider. 

When Americans are facing serious health issues, they need healthcare providers they can trust. MedTrust is one of the South’s fastest-growing mobile healthcare providers, operating its ambulance services 24/7 throughout South Carolina and parts of Georgia and North Florida. Contact us to learn more about our services or find out how you can become part of our team.