Reactive Health Care Costs Far More Than Proactive Lifestyle Changes
It truly is a shame that we continue to have a fight each and every year over health care costs without ever really getting to the root of the problem, our actual health! I don’t believe any semi-sane person would argue that better overall health and wellness in society would not actually lead to lower health care costs, both short-term and long-term. Yet, like so many other things, we have become almost completely reactive in how we deal with these issues, both our health and our health care.
Now, don’t worry, I have no intentions on talking politics here. I know for a fact I would have half of the two friends I have now if I told everyone what they needed to hear about our political system and the ideologies that are quickly ruining our ability to prevail as a country, so I intentionally shy away from that conversation. I will say this as it relates to both health and politics; extremes are NEVER the answer!
By now, we should all realize that we are going to pay for health one way or the other, today or tomorrow! How and when is completely up to us individually. Nothing is more frustrating for someone like myself than to hear the complaints or rising health care costs from the person who eats McDonald’s six times a week or feeds their children Fruit Loops every morning for breakfast! These individuals simply haven’t thought things through and unfortunately, find it easier to blame others or the “system” than to look in the mirror and make some changes in their and/or their families eating habits! The fact is it’s far more expensive and uncomfortable to pay for health tomorrow, in a reactive state, then it is to be proactive with good, simple fitness and nutrition, for individuals and families alike.
Ever wonder why we now have nearly 30% of our children actually nearing obesity and dealing with diabetes? It’s not government’s fault and it certainly isn’t the health care industries fault either! I know, for many, that is a tough look in the mirror, but, it is one that any caring parent should be willing to make if your child falls into that category!
Did you know that nearly 65% of all illness can be avoided with proper nutrition, including some forms of cancer? The number of children suffering from obesity due to underlying genetic issues is truly limited, so please, do not allow yourself to fall into that excuse trap either.
To be quite honest, I’m not that smart, but even I can figure this vicious cycle out! Consider this in it’s simplicity…doctors make more money by prescribing medications in a reactive approach because insurance covers the cost of the extremely overpriced medications that make pharmaceutical companies billions of dollars every year. The ever-increasing prescription rate has a direct effect on society and the insurance premiums we pay on a whole, whether we are using prescription medications or not.
