TeleVox, a leading provider of patient engagement communications (EC), has released its latest Healthy World Report entitled "A Call for Change: How Adopting a Preventive Lifestyle Can Ensure a Healthy Future for More Americans."

The study found that lifestyle choices are contributing to many Americans being overweight or obese, a number that is steadily rising. Furthermore, the study also found that few Americans are undergoing recommended exams and screenings that help to prevent health problems or detect them in early stages.

Study highlights

Poor Eating Habits and Lack of Exercise: Less than half of Americans (49 percent) said that they've exercised routinely in the last two years, and only 52 percent said they've attempted to improve their eating habits or incorporated more nutritious foods into meals.

A Growing Problem: According to the CDC, 35 percent of both American men and women are considered obese. In the last decade, the percentage of obese American men has increased by almost 10 percent.

Skipping Important Screenings: Shockingly, among the Baby Boomer population, only 33 percent of women have had a mammogram, and only 24 percent of men have had a prostrate exam in the last two years.

Cost-Conscious: 75 percent of U.S. adults agreed that out-of-pocket cost is the primary reason they decide whether or not to seek preventive care.

"As Americans, we need to collectively read between the lines at what these numbers are showing us," said Scott Zimmerman, president of TeleVox Software, Inc. "People are self-reporting the fact that they are in poor health and need to do something about it, and the fear of out-of-pocket expenses is holding people back. But that doesn't have to be the case. Americans have the opportunity to improve their own lives by taking advantage of the preventive care that is available to each and every one of us."

"Women spend so much time taking care of all of the people in their lives that they tend to put their own health on the back burner," Zimmerman said. "It is important that women understand they need to take all necessary precautions and preventive measures for themselves, as well as their families."

"There is no age group that is immune from disease, so preventive care really is ageless," Zimmerman said. "In order to make a better tomorrow, it is going to become increasingly important for Americans to take advantage of the preventive healthcare available to set a standard for future generations."