But, of course, you already knew that.
A large European study published in this week's British Medical Journal underscores the importance of reducing obesity rates and smoking to prevent health complications later in life.
The study, which spanned decades, found that young men in Sweden who were overweight at age 18 were as likely to die by age 60 as light smokers, while obese teens were twice as likely to die early as heavy smokers.
We know that the chronic diseases that are linked to smoking and obesity-like diabetes, 
heart disease, and lung disease--are some of the costliest. In the US, nearly half of us have at least one chronic disease, and about $3 out of every $4 spent on healthcare goes toward treating those with chronic diseases. Healthcare reform must focus on preventing and better managing chronic diseases if we are to improve public health while lowering healthcare spending.
The message is clear not just for Sweden but for all of us: the global obesity epidemic and teen smoking remain essential targets for intensified public health initiatives.
Rick--
Chronic diseases are what is killing our healthcare system, both in terms of the health of our population and the amount we spend. Our healthcare system is great at treating acute health problems, but what we need is a concerted, coordinated effort to look at the healthcare continuum. Electronic medical records and coordinated care, like in the patient-centered medical home model, are a good start. We need to make prevention a primary focus of ant reform efforts--encourage and facilitate regular checkups/screenings and help people understand the impact of a proper diet and regular exercise. Inn other words, keep them healthier for longer.
When people do become ill, they need access to the right medicines at the right time--which is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach. And we need to encourage continued research by industry, academia, and the government to find new and better medicines. If reform efforts end up hindering innovation, then we'll be living a healthcare time capsule.
Michael,
Since you keep mentioning managing chronic diseases better. What specifically would you like to see the new administration do differently to aaddress that issue?