### What Do Preventive Medicine Physicians Do? Preventive medicine physicians are doctors who focus on preventing diseases and disabilities before they occur. They have expertise in both public health and clinical care, which allows them to offer valuable insights into how to avoid injuries, diseases, and even death. ### Where Can You Find Them? You can find preventive medicine physicians in various settings such as primary care clinics, government agencies, corporations, public health departments, healthcare facilities, and health insurance companies. They work in diverse areas including public health, health policy, clinical medicine, and research. ### Clinical vs. Non-Clinical Roles Preventive medicine physicians can be either clinical or non-clinical. Clinical physicians see patients and may counsel them on lifestyle changes to prevent health issues. Non-clinical physicians might work in epidemiology, biostatistics, or health services management, developing and evaluating health policies and programs. ### Why See a Preventive Medicine Physician? You might be referred to a preventive medicine physician if you are at risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or heart disease due to genetics or lifestyle. They can provide advice on diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes to help you avoid these conditions. They may also offer preventive health screenings and immunizations. ### Preventive Medicine and Diabetes If you are at risk of diabetes, a preventive medicine physician can help you make necessary lifestyle adjustments to prevent the onset of the disease. This might include dietary changes, increasing physical activity, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.