What is Live Well Live Long A lifetime of healthy living?
'Live Well Live Long A lifetime of healthy living' is a comprehensive source of information about preventing illness in the Australian community.
It started life as a book I put together by myself over several years that was first published by Allen and Unwin in 2003. It was well received by the medical profession and several reviews are included below.
I created 'Live Well Live Long A lifetime of healthy living' with the aim of helping as many people as possible stay well and happy for as long as possible. With the completion of the second edition, I felt that to achieve this aim I needed to reach more people than is possible with a published resource and thus I decided to make the complete text of the second edition fully revised edition of the book, completed in early 2007, available free to the general public via this web site.
Why is a preventive health resource like Live Well Live Long needed?
It has been estimated that it would take the average GP over seven hours a day to optimally address the preventive health needs of the patients that come in through the door each day. Obviously this is not possible and thus most patients miss out on much of their preventive health care.
A large part of this seven hours is taken up with providing information about preventive health topics and patient management options. This object of this web site is to help with this time consuming job by providing accurate and in depth knowledge about most preventive health issues. People who have read the material it contains will be able to discuss in an informed manner with their GP which options are best for them. People who do not become informed about their preventive health issues will have to accept medical advice at face value and this has been shown to reduce the likely benefits; mainly because lack of understanding makes people less motivated to adopt the advice given.
The web site attempts to deliver a level of knowledge that an interested patient might expect from a well-informed GP. It attempts to provide current 'main-stream' medical opinion.
Dr Paul Goyen, MB BS Hons (Sydney University)
Who is Dr Paul Goyen?
I am a Sydney based general practitioner who graduated in medicine (with honours) from Sydney University in 1981. I work exclusively in the field of preventive health.
Use of web site information
The information on this web site is provided free of charge to the general public. Its use by any person or organization for financial gain is not permitted.
All expenses involved in the production and maintenance of the web site are paid by Dr Paul Goyen. Individuals who find this site useful and would like to make a small contribution to help cover these ongoing costs can do so by sending a cheque to:
Dr Paul Goyen
PO Box 401
Pymble NSW 2073
Thank you.
Conflict of interest statement
This publication is completely independent. Other than for being an associate member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the author is not associated in any way with any organization mentioned in this publication. Neither the author, his medical practice or any related party has received any benefit for the production of this resource. (The author pays for all expenses related to creating and maintaining this web site.)
Some of the publications recommended in the ‘further information’ sections have been written by health professionals who the author has consulted during the production of this resource. Their inclusion was based solely on merit.
No payment has been made by the author for any of the original book’s endorsements.
The author does have a minor interest in the wine industry, being a part owner in a small vineyard producing grapes for table wines.
Reviews of the book 'Live well Live Long A lifetime of healthy living'
A review of 'Live Well Live Long' for the Australian Divisions of General Practice (written in 2003)
This review was independently sought by the Australian Divisions of General Practice (PO Box 4308, Manuka, ACT, 2603,
Ph 02 – 6228 0800)
Dr Klaus Stelter
GP and Director of St George Division of General Practice,
Sydney, NSW.
As it is want to happen, when one is interested in a topic - this book caught my eye. I have been very interested in the subject of preventative health, both in my own practice and in terms of the population health program at our Division, which has a strong preventative health focus.
One of things that enthusiasts do wrong, is that they arm themselves with more and more knowledge but they tend to forget their purpose; which is to convince others (not themselves) - so I was pleased that Dr Goyen started his very substantial book at the "pointy end". What can lifestyle changes achieve and how does the average person go about achieving such change!
While this book is written for the public at large it nevertheless emphasises that success in achieving the goals of preventative health, is much more likely if there is a partnership with the GP - and that puts it into a nice context - yes, lifestyle changes can only be achieved personally but that is difficult, and help and support of your own GP can make all the difference. After all, your GP should be there in sickness and in health.
Dr Goyen starts with childhood, not only individually but in the family context. In this time, when we are dismayed at childhood obesity, it is salutary to read the quote from James Baldwin; "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but have never failed to imitate them". Here, as Dr Goyen points out, is one more very important reason for adults to undertake lifestyle change - if not pity our poor children!
The book gives hints on assessing medical information for the public, has very brave and informative section on mental health and how to develop some mental robustness. It deals with nutrition and obesity, prevention of heart attacks and strokes, cancer prevention and many other health issues. As one reads the sections, as a doctor, you are aware that while all the information is evidence based, it is written in such a way that the lay person is not intimidated. The book is down to earth practical, comprehensive and current (for example it cover well the current HRT controversy).
This is a book, with breadth of cover, practical hints and accuracy of mainstream medical approach, that is well suited to us all - whether as a GP to hown up on our preventive management, to the public at large and the parents of the succeeding generations. It should have a place in every GP's surgery and its content a place in every GP's mind.
Dr Klaus Stelter
GP and Director of St George Division of General Practice,
Sydney, NSW.
Endorsements for the book ‘Live Well Live Long’ written in 2003
Professor Geoffrey Tofler
Professor of Preventative Cardiology, Sydney University
Senior Staff Specialist, Royal North Shore Hospital
"In 'Live well, Live long' Dr Paul Goyen achieves his laudable aim of providing knowledge to enable the general reader to attain a longer and happier life protected from physical and mental disability.
After acknowledging the difficulty of changing entrenched harmful behaviour patterns such as sedentary lifestyle and unbalanced diet, Dr Goyen provides a practical roadmap to initiate positive behaviour and preventative approaches. Clear summaries and practical approaches abound, with key points highlighted, and web references listed.
A comprehensive range of topics, relevant for each age group, are covered. Topics include cancer and heart disease prevention, depression, hearing loss and osteoporosis. There is a useful focus on Australian resources and context.
While this book could happily be a well thumbed reference, its easy style enables it to be a pleasurable cover to cover read for the general person, providing help and insights from childhood to old age. Doctors and other health professionals will also find the book useful in discussions with patients, even when future advances modify some of the specific recommendations.
The value of a responsive, engaged GP is emphasised. Indeed people would be fortunate to have someone like Dr Goyen as their GP. Dr Goyen also stresses the importance of the informed individual as partner.
Dr Goyen notes that one of life's mysteries is that routine car maintenance is considered essential but routine body maintenance is not. "Live well, live long" does an excellent job in redressing this paradox."
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Dr G. R. Fulcher MB BS MD FRACP
Director, Sydney Diabetes,
Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Royal North Shore Hospital,
St Leonards
"It is timely to remind practitioners of the key role of preventative medicine in everyday clinical practice and balance the recent focus on the acute practice of medicine. In “Live Well, Live Long” Paul Goyen has produced a scholarly overview of disease prevention that is relevant to both general practitioners and their patients. The importance of diet and exercise, strategies for prevention of cardiovascular disease bone disease and cancer, and issues surrounding women and children’s health are well covered. This easily readable text will prove a popular and informative addition to the medical literature and I can recommend it to both patients and doctors alike."