A retired doctor argues that New Mexico cannot solve its healthcare worker shortage solely through recruitment. He stresses that reducing chronic diseases is equally vital to ease the strain on the system. Additionally, addressing the New Mexico Healthcare Worker Shortage requires a comprehensive approach.
It is difficult because New Mexico ranks 43rd nationally for the quality of healthcare, and 68% of the population is either overweight or obese. It means that many people require medical services due to chronic illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes, which contributes to the New Mexico Healthcare Worker Shortage.
The article presents the case of Jenson Yazzie, an indigenous student at UNM, who cured himself of type 2 diabetes by losing weight through a plant-based diet. His story offers hope for those affected by the New Mexico Healthcare Worker Shortage.
Plant-based diets and healthy living practices include the following benefits: prevention of type 2 diabetes (which affects 13% of adults in NM), good heart health (as heart disease is responsible for 20% of adult fatalities), regulation of blood pressure, proper body weight, and lessening of the burden on scarce medical professionals. In fact, implementing these strategies is part of the solution to the New Mexico Healthcare Worker Shortage.
This headline implies that resolving the healthcare professional shortage problem is impossible without addressing underlying health issues. Prevention and improved lifestyle choices can help alleviate pressure off doctors.
This physician emphasizes the importance of adopting a healthier diet and lifestyle, and preventive care in addition to legal measures like licensure compact agreements across states. Unless New Mexicans adopt preventive care, recruiting will not be enough.