Taking control

Being your own health advocate puts you in charge of planning and decision making

While the guidance of your health care provider is important, it is also essential to be your own health advocate. After all, you know your body best. Having your concerns, questions and preferences addressed is a vital step in making informed health care decisions—you will feel more confident as you move through treatment plans with improved medical literacy.

Bring questions to your appointments

Gone are the days when talking with a doctor was a one-way discussion. “Take time to write down questions so you and your health provider can prioritize your health concerns,” says Dr. Melinda Ring, director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University. “Ask if there are any evaluations that should be done to explore your health needs, given your personal health risks and goals.”

Understand your insurance coverage

Taking time to understand your individual insurance can help you receive the care you need while sidestepping expensive bills. For instance, “it’s important to talk to your family doctor about whether cancer screening is right for you,” says Dr. Jobin Varughese, a board member for the Ontario College of Family Physicians. “Other conditions you might be screened for include high blood pressure, [blood] sugar or cholesterol.”

Stay on top of preventive care

Be sure to schedule regular appointments and routine screenings. “It’s important to realize that chronic diseases occur on a continuum,” says Ring. “Often, by the time they are diagnosed, problems have been brewing for years. For example, a person doesn’t become diabetic overnight; insulin resistance may start a decade or more before. Catching things early means you can take action to reverse them before developing permanent damage.”

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Mali Anderson is a freelance writer based in Chicago.

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Pharmacies in Costco’s Quebec locations are independently owned and operated by pharmacists.