Western New York’s statistics for health and wellness tell a troubling story. Ours is a community in which many individuals and families struggle with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. What makes this issue even more troubling is that even with the wealth of health information and services available – many do not ask the vital questions or get the critical preventive medical services.

Health researchers identify many screening and maintenance procedures that can be used to prevent future health challenges. These range from cholesterol screenings, routine lab work for annual physical exams to specific cancer screenings. There is also a tendency to overlook the role that lifestyle plays in our overall health. We are all dealt a genetic hand of cards, a predisposition to certain diseases we cannot control. For most people, health behaviors trump inherited risk—70-80% of disease is determined by lifestyle.

We each hold a lot of power when it comes to our health. We have the unique opportunity to prevent, stall or lessen the impact of many diseases. Target Prevention, a WNED PBS original production, will show you the most effective things you can do to take control of your health.

Host Susan Hunt is joined by Dr. Fuad Sheriff of Amherst Medical Associates and Dr. Joseph Corigliano from Buffalo Medical Group to discuss the significant role individuals play in their health and wellness. Personal stories featuring individuals and health professionals are woven throughout the program to emphasize the major themes.

Research demonstrates the positive impact of exercise and good nutrition. Small choices we make every day really do impact our health. We also need to make certain that we take advantage of screening tests that lead to early detection, better treatment and even prevention. Our “targets” with this program are cardiovascular disease and cancer focusing on high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer.

From the program: