Week 2 Post 3
`My learning from this week explains a lot of the issues which surround me in my day to day life and is also terrifying. When I think about who America is affecting in their desire to perpetuate bad health, I think of my class mates and peers. People who have very little control over their resources and who struggle every day with their health. A striking majority of my friends and classmates have some, maybe it's low grade (but still present), struggle with, particularly mental, but also physical health. I personally have struggled with gut problems due to anxiety and misinformed diet practices. When you go to the grocery store, the unhealthy food is placed right at eye level so that the average consumer will pick it from the shelf. A person will eat what they have available to eat. It all works as a system with collaboration from the government and large corporations. One of the best ways to combat this can be to raid your pantry. Take out everything from your pantry that has more than 5 ingredients. It will probably be most of your pantry. Maybe, consider throwing this food away or let it inspire you to read the labels when you go to the store next. Not because you are on a diet, but because you are trying to maintain your physical and mental health (while fighting the system). What I took from my lesson this week is anger and a greater purpose for my future role as a potential physician. I now see where change is the most needed.
How can the citizenship fight to change the system? Is there any way to change it without affects on the economy? Why do the majority of Americans have no idea that this is happening? Have there been other legislative efforts to protect public health? I am super concerned after this weeks lesson. I would really love to learn more about what other individual physicians or health care professionals have done and what more can do to stray from the system. Also, this cannot be sustainable. How long can America sustain this practice until something bad happens? I do not know what but the problem is only getting worse and no one is addressing it.
Did it cover if other countries do better with preventative health measures? More lifestyle focused? If so, what do they do?
ReplyDeleteAre any other countries close to our 16%?
Among developed nations, American spends the most on health care and yet, has the lowest life expectancy and highest suicide rate. But, as discussed, America has an economic incentive to perpetuate this epidemic. There are no other advanced countries that operate for-profit health care systems in the way that we do. Among the few for-profit health care economies, none benefit from chronic illness. In many European countries, all expenses are paid for besides insurance that can provide for elective procedures, the best hospitals, and additional medical care like eye and ear appointments. No child ever pays for any medical expense. America is the only country in which medical expense would be of daily stress and anxiety to a citizen. It did not cover if other countries do better with preventative health. I did some research on Switzerland, the most healthy country in the world, and they definitely prioritize lifestyle medicine more than we do. I encourage you to look at this link (https://www.docemerson.com/switzerland2020/). I just think that looks awesome. Most of Europe has agreed upon a preventative health mission. ELMO is the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization. In general, the other hemisphere of the world does not want to benefit off of human mortality. Denmark, the happiest country in the world, has more access to good health care and less stress. One of the reasons may be that they do not have to live the damaging life that every American does in which little time is left for rest, the food is unhealthy, and medical costs are of daily fret. No other countries national economy benefits from poor health the way that America does and America should look at countries like Germany, France, and Switzerland as a model for public health incentives.
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