The West Virginia Health Statistics Center named chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and cancer as the leading causes of death in West Virginia, and the cost for chronic care is a heavy burden shared among all mountain state residents. Chronic illnesses are a rung on an economic ladder that starts with poverty and behavioral patterns and ends with hidden business taxes and government subsidies. . . . Information from the West Virginia Health Statistics Center confirms that while chronic diseases are the most costly and prevalent of health problems, they are the most preventable. West Virginians may claim to be victims of many things, but making poor choices isn't one of them, and Martin said he's careful to teach medical students not to medicate non-medical problems. "As physicians and public health advocates, we need to instill personal responsibility for health," Martin said. "Everybody who's smoking in West Virginia knows it's bad for them, and you have to stay to people 'This is something you bear responsibility for.' "We look at medications to treat smoking cessation obesity, et cetera, when there are non-medical solutions. Everybody has to exercise and eat right and not smoke." Martin said the medical community has known for a long time that prevention is the most important health aspect, but diet and exercise initiatives, along with smoking cessation, isn't very glamorous. ...
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