Health Topics

Own Your Health is a campaign to empower consumers to become active participants in their own health and health care. The campaign focuses on the four health topics described below. These topics work together to give you the tools and information you need to maintain and improve your health and to make sure you are getting quality health care.

Click on Your Primary Care Doctor, Getting the Right Care, Talking to Your Doctor and Taking Care of Yourself for helpful information on each health topic.

Your Primary Care Doctor

A primary care doctor is your partner in health, providing you with preventive care and medical treatments. People who have an ongoing relationship with a primary care doctor have better overall health and lower health-related expenses than those without a primary care doctor. Find and visit a primary care doctor you trust. Go to your primary care doctor for regular checkups and for any health concerns or questions you have. Click for more

Getting the Right Care

Quality health care is the right care, at the right time, for the right reason. The quality of health care available to you varies. So it’s up to you to know what quality health care is and how to get it. Trustworthy, public information about health care quality can help you decide what test or treatment is best for you and help you know if the care you receive meets accepted standards. Being an active member of your health care team will benefit you. You deserve the right care. You deserve quality. Click for more

Talking to Your Doctor

Communication is a two-way street. It’s important to tell your doctor what’s going on. Talk openly and honestly to your doctor about your health concerns and needs so your doctor can best help you. Don’t know what to say? Prepare in advance. Bring lists of questions and medications you take. When you’re in the exam room, take notes and speak up if you’re confused. When you ask questions, make sure you get the answers you need. Get the most from your visit. Talk to your doctor. Click for more

Taking Care of Yourself

You know taking care of yourself is important. But are you doing it? Taking care of yourself means taking an active role in your health and health care so you can stay as healthy as you can. Your primary care doctor may tell you to get more exercise, but it’s up to you to follow through on this advice. Your doctor can’t pedal your bike for you, after all. Click for more