High cholesterol, obesity on the rise in the U.S.
UCI expert says regular screening is critical to prevent damage
August 18, 2023
IN THE NEWS: Among the most frequently diagnosed health conditions for Americans are obesity and high cholesterol.
UCI Health family medicine physician Dr. Jose Mayorga spoke with U.S. News & World Report about what he sees as a primary care provider.
“Many individuals can go years without knowing they have (high cholesterol), which can cause irreversible damage to the body. This is why it’s important to have a primary care doctor who can screen you for cholesterol periodically, prescribe medication and provide guidance on healthy living."
And while more than 40% of people have obesity according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayorga says those numbers have been on the rise recently, in addition to those of high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Mayorga is executive director and chief medical officer at the UCI Health Family Health Centers and professor of family medicine at the UCI School of Medicine. His clinical interests include children's health, women and maternal health and preventive care.
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