Prevention Over Prescription: Rethinking Healthcare
Ozempic Costs Over $10,000 a Year—What If We Invested That in Your Health Instead?
Hey everyone, it’s Dr. K here.
As an ICU physician, I see the incredible care our system provides when things go wrong—whether it’s heart attacks, strokes, or other life-threatening conditions. But here’s something that recently struck me: the cost of medications like Ozempic in the U.S. can exceed $10,000 per year. That’s a huge financial burden, but it also got me thinking—what could we do with $10,000 invested in your health and wellness, rather than on medications?
We’re great at saving lives in critical care, but what are we doing to prevent people from ending up in the ICU in the first place? Imagine if we used that $10,000 to support healthier lifestyle choices—better nutrition, regular exercise, and education about the impact of processed foods. What if we could invest in Whole Foods, educate people on the importance of protein intake, and help reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues?
I’m not against medications like Ozempic; I’d take it myself if I were pre-diabetic or struggling with weight. But it needs to be paired with long-term lifestyle changes. These medications can be a powerful tool, but they’re not a cure-all. The weight often comes back once you stop taking them, which is why we need to empower people to make lasting changes in their lives.
This is where we, as a society, need to focus. We need to invest in education, nutrition, and physical activity, starting with our youth. Every child should have the opportunity to be active—whether it’s joining a sports team or having access to a gym—without financial barriers. Look at sports like hockey, where costs can be prohibitive, versus something like football, where many teams are subsidized, making it accessible to everyone. That’s the kind of inclusivity we need in fitness and wellness.
When I think about the benefits of investing in movement—whether through sports or just staying active—I’m confident it would lead to fewer cases of diabetes, obesity, and mental health issues. Regular exercise, especially in our youth, could drastically improve physical and mental health, reducing the need for stress leave and other healthcare services. A more active population means fewer people ending up in the ICU, and that’s where we need to be heading.
Let’s even look at how cities can promote this kind of lifestyle. Take a place like the Netherlands, where cities are designed for walking, biking, and community engagement. We might not be able to redesign cities overnight, but we can start by creating more walkable areas and outdoor gyms like the one at Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa. These spaces don’t just make fitness accessible—they foster a sense of community. When you see your neighbour knocking out some pull-ups, it’s contagious!
The truth is, that a significant percentage of ICU patients are there due to lifestyle-related illnesses—obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. And when you land in the ICU, it’s not just your health that suffers. There’s often a huge ripple effect: families are impacted, spouses can’t work, and caregiving responsibilities shift. Plus, the financial cost is staggering—about $33,000 a day in the ICU, with COVID-19 patients averaging $50,000 per stay. Think about what we could do if we diverted even a fraction of those resources to prevention.
This is why I’m so passionate about promoting Prevention Over Prescription. We need to take action to avoid the ICU, and it starts with rethinking how we approach health. Let’s invest in prevention, let’s be active, and let’s start changing how we view healthcare.
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Thanks for reading,
Dr. K
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