Economy Driving Women to Skimp on Health Care

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Economy Driving Women to Skimp on Health Care: Poll

By Kathleen Doheny HealthDay Reporter – Dec 2, 11:47 pm ET

TUESDAY, Dec. 2 -- A faltering economy is taking a toll not only on

women's wallets but on their health as well, a new survey finds.

Women are cutting back on health care due to costs, according to a

Interactive poll released Tuesday by the National Women's

Health Resource Center, part of the U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services.

That means their health and that of their families (since women

usually take charge of household health matters) may be suffering,

experts said.

More than 40 percent of the 754 adult women polled said their health

had declined in the past year, with most citing stress and weight gain

as the cause, said Beth Battaglino Cahill, executive director of the

center, which is headquartered in Red Bank, N.J...

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repoll

Taking Care in Tough Times

A bad economy is no reason to ignore your health, said Dr. Nieca

Goldberg, director of the Women's Heart Program at the NYU Langone

Medical Center in New York City. " Even in hard times, regular

screenings are important, " she said. " Basically, it's an investment in

your health. "

Catching medical problems early can save you in the long run, she

added. For instance, if a doctor detects slightly elevated blood

pressure, you might correct it by cutting back on salt and getting

more exercise. That's healthier and cheaper than waiting until the

pressure is so high you need medications, Goldberg said.

Other ways to save:

* Ask your physician if a cheaper generic version of any medicine

you need is available.

* If you've lost your insurance, be aware that many medical

clinics have a sliding scale. Ask your doctor, your county officials

or city personnel for referrals.

* Consider preparing more food on your own rather than turning to

fast food. " That's the healthiest and may be cheaper, " Goldberg said.

* Look for sales in the grocery store as you would in other

stores. Buy whichever healthy fruits and vegetable are on sale that week.