Taking care of your health is never a luxury. Even if you lose your job or your health insurance, it’s important to keep taking your medicine and get routine care. Here are some tips from the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s Institute for Good Medicine.

1. Keep taking your prescribed medications. But ask your doctor about the possibility a cheaper  generic option or prescription drug assistance. You can find out if you qualify for free or low-cost medicine through RXAssist.
2. Pay attention to early warning signs of health problems. It’s less expensive to see a doctor than end up in an emergency room.
3. Keep your routine medical appointments. If cost is an issue, look for a federally-funded health care center.
4. Don’t skimp on prevention. Take advantage of free health screenings at clinics, hospitals and health fairs. You can even sign up for periodic screening reminders from the American Cancer Society and select other health care  organizations.
5. Take an online health assessment to find ways to improve your overall health.
6. If you smoke, quit.
7. Walk, climb stairs, ride a bike or lift weights. Regular exercise reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and osteoporosis–and can also help your mood.
8. Eat right.  You can get recipes, cooking tips and shopping lists from the American Caner Society’s Great American Eat Right Challenge.
9. Be careful. The riskier your lifestyle, the more likely you are to have health problems.
10. Be resourceful. If you have health care benefits, check to see if your plan includes lifestyle programs and preventive services. Or take advantage of community wellness programs through a local hospital.

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