A report showing that 100,000 lives could be saved each year through better utilization of high-value preventive care that includes immunizations, disease screenings, and counseling services was released by Partnership for Prevention.

Partnership for Prevention is a member organization of businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies that focuses on disease prevention and health promotion. The study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Wellpoint Foundation. Data show the number of lives that can be saved through better utilization of existing services.

45,000 lives - Increase from 50 to 90 percent the portion of adults who take an aspirin daily.

42,000 lives - Increase from 28 to 90 percent the portion of smokers who are advised by a health care professional to quit and are offered medication or other assistance.

14,000 lives - Increase from 50 to 90 percent the portion of adults age 50 and older who are up to date with recommended screening for colorectal cancer.

12,000 lives - Increase from 37 to 90 percent the portion of adults age 50 and older who are immunized annually for influenza.

3,700 lives - Increase from 67 to 90 percent the portion of women age 40 and older who have been screened for breast cancer in the past 2 years.

The absence of breastfeeding among the low-cost interventions was disappointing, given the fact that it is a no-cost immunization with the potential to affect short- and long-term health in 4 million babies annually and an equal number of moms.

If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, just think what millions of ounces of human milk are worth!