Quo Vadis, Domine?
It is common knowledge that the state of our collective health is concerning. We see it on TV, hear it on the radio, read about it on the internet, and the statistics don’t look good.
The projection is that by 2050 one third of Americans will be diagnosed with diabetes! Chronic diseases - such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obsesity, and arthritis - are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Seven of the top 10 causes of death in 2016 were chronic diseases. Two of these chronic diseases, heart disease and cancer, together accounted for nearly half of all deaths.
Poor diet is a major factor affecting the health of Americans. In every state, fewer than 1 in 5 adults eat enough fruit, and fewer than 1 in 7 eat enough vegetables.
A new epidemic of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes has emerged, and health officials are at loss for resources and tools of keeping this trend from worsening. As a nation, we are spending $147 billion on obesity-related healthcare costs each year, and $117 billion in healthcare cost associated with inadequate physical activity.
The numbers are absolutely astronomical and the repercussions on our overall wellbeing, as a nation, is desolating. Take a look at the recent statistics as presented on the CDC website:
So what is there to do? Are we just going to accept that this is our fate? Are we going to allow greedy corporations to dictate what should go on our plate? Are we going to put our hopes in advancements in technology that would allow diseases to be diagnosed in earlier stages? Are we just going to line up at the pharmacy with prescriptions in our hands?
Fortunately, chronic conditions are preventable. Every single one of them is lifestyle related. Eating a healthy diet, getting enough physical activity, and not using tobacco help prevent most chronic diseases.
The power is in your hands! The power is in the choices you make as an individual. You have the power to turn your health around and break free from the statistic!
The question remains...Quo vadis, domine?
