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PREVENTION IS DIFFICULT—BUT POSSIBLE by Allen J. Orehek

PREVENTION IS DIFFICULT—BUT POSSIBLE

by Allen J. Orehek

Pub Date: June 8th, 2012
ISBN: 978-1475017526
Publisher: CreateSpace

A thoroughly researched manual by Orehek emphasizes the benefits of prevention-focused medicine.

Throughout this manual, Orehek addresses both potential and proven failings of the health care approach seen most commonly in the United States. In favor of proactive over reactive medicine, he covers tactics deemed preventative against several diseases and cancers. The introduction offers the bromide that fame and fortune offer no buffer against disease and makes the weighty claim that the manual will save the reader’s life. On the heels of the formal introduction is a chapter that outlines the book’s purpose and recycles several ideas from the intro. The following chapter describes the manual’s ideal readership, and although it delineates who will probably not reap rewards from the material, it’s followed by a chapter dedicated to establishing who the book is not for. In all, the author essentially disqualifies those battling chronic disease (except for the truly dedicated), all those who put blind faith in their traditional health plan, smokers, those who feel anxious when reflecting on things they should be doing but are not, and many others. After broaching the problem of broad medical conclusions being drawn from studies involving niche population samples, Orehek looks to familiarize the reader with his own thought process, which, in its seemingly random idea-hopping style, does not lend itself to easy reading. The manual hits its stride when it provides topic-by-topic analysis of Alzheimer’s disease and various widespread cancers. Illuminating the preventative approaches to these, Orehek draws on experience and research to recommend specific tests and other preemptive measures. The chapter spotlighting the illogic of many of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s suggestions is both jarring and useful. Orehek’s ending political plan, divisive by nature, detracts from what he’s accomplished.

Potentially applicable to a broad spectrum of book buyers concerned about their health and longevity, this manual spends too much time screening and qualifying readers. Once it gets into factual information related to particular health afflictions, it proves its relevance.