Health care, particularly in an election year, continues to be a hot topic of conversation among American consumers, health care providers and public officials. And while the future of health care is to be determined, undeniable shifts have created a new paradigm that doesn’t seem to be waning — and it poses tremendous opportunity for the dairy industry.
Runaway health care costs, physician shortages and new research developments on how genetics and lifestyle behaviors — including eating patterns — relate to disease are ushering in a new era of health care. It’s driven by two huge adjustments. The first is a shift beyond treatment of chronic disease to disease prevention and wellness. Second, new models of health care expand primary care services outside of the traditional doctor’s office and into clinics located within the community, such as schools, churches and drugstores.