What’s Really Killing Us? Asks Alexandra Drane

November 22, 2016 · NCQA Communications

What’s really killing us? Is it heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s. Not quite says Alexandra Drane.

“Life Sucks Disease”

She knows of another killer…one she calls “Life Sucks Disease.”

Drane, founder of the Eliza Corporation, shook up the health care conversation at NCQA’s Quality Talks by talking about what’s really killing us. Drane says we need to address what is sucking the life out of most of us…financial stress, workplace stress, relationship stress, caregiver stress. She says all of these can cause actual health issues or worsen the ones you’ve got.

While the health care industry is trying to get people to understand the basics of prevention, screenings, diet and exercise as the keys to good health, Drane says that message is lost among those who have other real-life concerns.  People with stresses in their life are more likely to suffer from exhaustion, alcohol or drug abuse, isolation and depression.

When life goes wrong, health goes wrong.

What’s Really Killing Us? Click here to find out!

While the health care industry is trying to get us to understand the basics of prevention, screenings, diet and exercise as keys to good health, Drane says that message is lost among those who have real-life issues. People under stress are more likely to suffer from exhaustion, alcohol or drug abuse, isolation and depression.

The issues that impact people’s lives and health don’t get the same recognition as medical and other factors. “Life is a day-to-day challenge,” Drane says. The health care industry is trying hard, but is not really listening to patients. Providers need to go a step farther and not only ask patients how they are feeling, but how they are doing. Ask if there are situations that could be affecting their health, and how they deal with them. And then offer to help.

Watch her Quality Talk and see why she believes Life Sucks Disease deserves a seat at the adult table.