Things that impact your health
In thinking about health, you might consider yourself healthy because you aren't sick. You may go to the doctor for a checkup every year, eat well and exercise regularly. But what about the thoughts in your head or your family health history? And taking it a step further, where you live, your job and the relationships in your life? All these things, and more, also influence the health of the whole you.
As much as 80% of a person’s health is determined outside a medical office or hospital. Studies suggest our medical care determines only 20% of our health.1
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Connecting everything that makes you healthy
Health for the whole you hasn't always been a main focus.
But that is changing. Companies involved in your health care started working on it before the pandemic, but you may be hearing a lot more about it now. They’re taking steps to consider not only your medical matters but also what makes you unique.
The approach is called whole-person care.
Whole-person care takes into account a patient’s mental, behavioral, spiritual and physical health while recognizing that each of us is an individual, with our own goals and our own preferences for seeking care at different places in our health care journey. When we address all of these factors, that’s when we can deliver on the promise of whole-person care.
– Dr. Wyatt Decker, CEO, OptumHealth
Caring for the whole person goes beyond treating illness, injury and disease. It’s about getting you the care and support you need, where and when you need it.
It's also about giving you clear information, so you can take charge of your health and choose healthy behaviors that may prevent illness.
But if you are one of the more than half of U.S. adults with at least one chronic disease,2 an illness that lasts a long time or needs to be managed throughout life, care that considers the whole you may help reduce the day-to-day burden of a chronic disease.
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Driving toward equitable care — for all
Creating a world where every person has equal access to affordable, quality health care — when and where they want it — is the goal. We are partnering to expand access and close gaps in care, one individual and community at a time.
Connect to health care and support for you and your family
Optum Store
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Optum Financial
Move toward a healthier financial future with health savings and spending accounts, payment solutions and educational resources.
Optum Rx
Get medication and pricing options for you and your family available through home delivery or your local pharmacy.
Specialty Pharmacy includes medications used to treat complex conditions, specialty therapies and infused medications.
Sources
1. Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. Medicaid’s role in addressing social determinants of health. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Updated Feb. 2019. Accessed Oct. 1, 2021.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. September 2020.