We will frequently hear politicians discuss the merits of universal health care. Politics aside, I take a position that universal health care is by no means the same as universal health. The former suggests the government (i.e., taxpayer) will pay for any and all medical treatment should one become ill. The latter is a consequence of better life choices.
In my humble opinion, a potential consequence of universal health care is the certain dependence upon it. (This is not to say that we should not have an available safety net for when the unexpected occurs.) It is a concern that we might lose sight of preventative health care. I believe we must all take personal responsibility for our personal health. We can do this by:
Stop (not) smoking. I was struck, teaching pathophysiology, by the impact not smoking can have on nearly all disease. If we are to have universal health care, we have to make it as difficult as possible to prevent people from starting to smoke and as easy as possible to stop. If one is going to make the choice to smoke (continue to smoke), then there needs to be a personal cost attached. My current state (Oregon) recently voted to raise the smoking age to 21. Personally, I have no confidence that it will have any meaningful impact. First, the 18-year-old age limit didn’t work. It didn’t work because there was no enforcement. I know of no minor-in-possession citation that was ever written (in any state) for under-age smoking. If it were enforced (like alcohol), there might be a chance of preventing kids from starting. Unfortunately, police have bigger issue with which to contend. Nevertheless, if parents are required to write a check when Jr. gets caught smoking…. And, parents, really? You can’t tell that your kid is smoking? Hug them once in a while!
Maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity is a major problem across the ages. We should not be judgmental, of course, but we should do all we can to discourage obesity and encourage a healthy body weight (i.e., fat percentage). By the way, this is not to encourage six-pack abs or any body dysmorphia. It simply means rewarding healthy body composition—and putting a price tag on unhealthy body fat.
Make exercise a public concern. We need communities that provide easy access to physical activity and exercise. We need parks and community biking/hiking trails. We need sidewalks and bike paths. We need community pools and exercise centers. Moreover, we need to stop cutting physical education!! We all so need to return youth sports to the community. The growth of club/select sports are robbing less athletic kids of an opportunity to be physically active. Club sports are limiting opportunity to the most affluent and skilled youth. It also limits community involvement and participation. I have great memories of local football and baseball, where neighborhood kids played each other and neighbors showed up for games. Youth sports were competitive, but it was all about having fun and being active (though we never talked about a need for kids to be more active in the ‘60s and ‘70s).
Change nutritional habits. This can begin with the schools. There is no reason not to have healthy options in the school cafeteria. It behooves us to make healthy school lunches universally acceptable. This, I propose, is a wise use of taxpayer dollars. Instead of worrying about who can pay or not pay for school lunches, just make sure that every kid is fed and receiving at least one nutritious meal (and this is not necessarily a socioeconomic issue—there are children of affluent parents who receive less than adequate nutrition, too).
Healthy foods need to be accessible, through co-ops, local markets, and neighborhood groceries. Organizations that provide food to the economically disadvantaged need to be cognizant of the quality of foods they are providing. Our governments, as well, can be doing better to make sure that our most needy are receiving better than just a handout to be spent where there are few healthy options. I would much prefer to see a supply of healthy foods—i.e., quality grains, meat, vegetables (lots of vegetables!!), fruit, etc.—be delivered directly. Perhaps, food of poor quality is better than no food, but, when, as a nation, we throw away an obscene quantity of food on a daily basis, we can do better to make sure everyone has access to nutritious food.
We, individually, have to make the best choices we can to be healthy. Where people have less opportunity to choose well for themselves, we have to help them to have the best possible options from which to choose—and the best information to make those decisions.
In the end, we are a nation of personal freedom. This does not mean, however, that others should have to pay for the consequences of our decisions. I do believe we should provide affordable care when necessary, but I would encourage one another to not burden our neighbors unnecessarily.
Good health is a choice (or series of choices)—except when it’s not. Let’s take responsibility for our personal health. Let’s support the science to cure and, moreover, prevent disease. Let’s create and support an environment and communities that are supportive of healthy living.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!