Just an Ounce

My professional world is healthcare. I have worked in it steadily since the mid-1980's and have seen much change. However, much of the change has been in the form of new technologies and therapies for diseases that are a direct result of the life choices we as Americans make. Stuffing down endless amounts of junk food and red meat, washed down by sodas and/or juice and/or alcohol, all while living an increasingly sedentary life. Really, what do we expect our bodies to do with that kind of mistreatment? This week as I cared for the next in a long line of physiologically broken people, a couple of old adages came screaming back into my mind. "An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure." Very similar to "a stitch in time saves nine". The sayings contain great wisdom that was hard won. By getting out ahead of the issue, one can prevent in large measure (9 to 16 times from these sayings respectively) future misery. This is not to suggest in anyway that everything can be cured through prevention and planning, however, there is a compelling amount of rigorous scientific data to show that vaccinations, good dental care, controlled use of alcohol, not smoking, modest and consistent exercise and seatbelts save a tremendous amount of lives and money. Since none of the medicines that we currently have actually cure any of the most common ailments (asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke) it appears that the only cost-effective approach to these diseases is to do everything we can to prevent them in the first place! The main poblem is that we lack the self-discipline to do what it takes to become healthier. The other problem is that our healthcare system and insurance carriers do not value prevention as highly as they should. In fact, many plans do not incent or often cover the very basics of prevention and promotion of communal health. Couple that with the mythology surrounding vaccinations and the relative risk associated with them, and there is a perfect storm that wrecks prevention before it can even get started. Morally and ethically this is wrong - both at an indivdual level and communally. When we don't care for ourselves we show a uge lack of gratitude for the lives that have been given us. We should be ashamed! This weekend, think about all the prevention that you've let slide. Make an action plan to get the information that you need and implement one new healthy activity or preventative act. You'll be very glad you did - and so will all the rest of us who ultimately have to pay your healthcare bill. Peace for the journey, Dan