January 2025

New Year, New Me: Building Better Habits for a Healthier You

The new year often brings the charge of a “New You” with setting new goals aimed at changing habits, lifestyles, and elevating health. While there is no quick fix, here at Tarrant County Public Health, we are committed to providing the resources and support needed to build a healthier community.

Studies show Americans are relatively unhealthy and yet we spend more healthcare dollars per capita than any other country. This reality leaves health leaders — frankly, myself included — scratching our heads and asking questions like: ‘Have we failed the American public?’, ‘Does American healthcare need an overhaul?’, and ‘Who is responsible?’

If you’re reading this and wondering, ‘Well, what can we do about it?’ — let’s dive into it without going down the well-traveled, and often unhelpful, road of blame. Instead, let’s explore what we can learn from other places around the world and apply it to our community.

Lessons From Around the World

Our neighbors in Puerto Rico, on average, live five years longer than mainland Americans despite their healthcare systems having fewer resources and less advanced technology.

Compared to our well-funded systems, our numbers should be better, right?

Well, maybe not entirely. The FDA Commissioner, Robert Califf, noted that Puerto Ricans have primary care clinics "on every corner." These clinics enable broader cancer screening, vaccination efforts, and tighter chronic disease management. Let’s break down some of their prevention strategies:

1. Vaccinations: Puerto Rico’s robust vaccination efforts have significantly reduced disease, hospitalizations, and deaths. (That’s one point for Puerto Rico on disease prevention.)

2. Cancer Screening: Puerto Rico actually conducts less cancer screening than mainland America according to the CDC and the Annals of Family Medicine. (We won’t count that a factor in their favor)

3. Chronic Disease Management: Puerto Rico records significantly lower cases of hypertension (high blood pressure) and obesity.

But why? It’s not just about better clinics or prescriptions. Their success stems from lifestyle factors: walking more, driving less, and consuming fewer processed, salty, and fatty foods. An increase in active lifestyle reduces obesity and helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Compared to excessive consumption of unhealthy foods pushes critical health metrics in the wrong direction.

Small Changes = Big Impact

The evidence suggests Puerto Ricans live longer because they:

• Walk more.
• Eat less processed food.
• Receive more vaccinations.

This shows that reforming healthcare systems or investing more in facilities, physicians, and supplies alone won’t make us healthier. Real change happens at the individual level through consistent, small habits.

Your Healthier Year Starts Now

As you embark on the journey of a new year, remember that small, consistent changes can have a big impact — and your future self will thank you. While government policies or systemic reforms will never be perfect solutions, a balanced diet, an active lifestyle, and regular visits to a healthcare provider can take us a long way toward closing the gap. Ready to take the first step? Explore our Family Health Services, tools, programs, and resources from Tarrant County Public Health that designed to help you achieve your health goals. Here’s to a healthier, happier new year!