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Aug 17

The Human PRIMARY Operating System is Not Rational

The Human Primary Operating System is Not Rational

We are not rational beings who emote; we are emotional beings with the capacity to think rationally. Big difference. Emotion trumps reason. Absent primordial prevention, sickness trumps wellness and survival trumps thrival.

It’s time for a new social health contract.

Let’s be very clear, society (government, healthcare providers, employers) must take the lead role when it comes to responsibility and accountability. This is a partnership, a social contract whereby—we, the people—voluntarily relinquish the freedom of action we have under the natural state (a state of existence that is not contingent upon man-made laws or beliefs) in order to obtain the benefits provided by the formation of social structures. Building on the philosophy of John Locke, who said, “…no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.” Thomas Jefferson et al, framed government responsibility under the umbrella of securing inalienable—natural—rights including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” By obeying man-made laws and complying with accepted standards and mores, we implicitly agree to our part of the social contract. In turn, we have the legal, moral and ethical ground to demand that the custodians and protectors of our natural rights—our elected officials, medical providers and employers—be held accountable.  This speaks directly to the issue of healthcare access and affordability.

In its simplest form, our implied social health contract requires that society provide:

  • Awareness of the consequence and benefits of lifestyle choices
  • Education needed to initiate and sustain healthy living
  • Access to affordable primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare
  • Evidence-based medicine and prevention measures
  • Supportive infrastructure (parks, healthy worksites, recreation, green, etc.)

And, when provided with all of the above, individuals representing themselves and their minor dependents are responsible for:

  • Making healthy choices
  • Self-exams (paying attention to changes in personal health)
  • Keeping up with recommended age and gender clinical screenings
  • Seeking timely and appropriate medical attention
  • Complying with evidence-based recommendations and directives involving lifestyle habits, medications, lab work and rehabilitation protocols

Evaluate your contribution to this social health contract.  Are we, as a society,  providing awareness, education, full access to treatment, evidence-based medicine and prevention and a supportive culture for ALL of our citizens?  If not, why not?  And, as an individual, are you keeping up your end of the bargain?  If not, why not?

Aug 14

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Caution: Grandma & Grandpa are Killing Our Children!

Caution: Grandma & Grandpa are Killing Our Children!

Fat Kids Grow Up to Be Fat Adults

 Updated from Earlier Posting…

Before you go off on the title of this reflection, take a deep breath and read on. If childhood obesity doesn’t scare the hell out of you, you’re choosing to sleep through a crisis. Shame on you…

I hear you say that protecting and advancing the good health of our children is a moral, ethical and economic imperative. I hear you say that you are concerned about the research that shows that fat kids become fat adults. By the way, I’m sorry if you’re offended by the word “fat” but that’s the right word to use, “fat.” It—FAT—causes much more of a visceral reaction than does “heavy,” “large,” “overweight” or “metabolically-challenged.” Fat is the word.  And, if unchecked, fat kids face a lifetime of health risks and social pain that come with diabetes, heart disease, poor self-esteem, ridicule and discrimination. Don’t agree? Just check with an adult who is currently fat or was a fat kid. Ask them if they bear any scars or carry painful memories from growing up fat. There’s no more time for political correctness. I’ve been in the health and wellness field for over thirty-five years and, when it comes to creating healthy cultures, I hear considerably more than I see. Just look around you, there’s way more saying than doing.

When it comes to health and health advocacy most of us are living a life of contradiction. What we do and what we allow—our actions and acceptance—are contrary to what we say. Just look at the data. No, on second thought, scratch that. We don’t need any more data, just look at our kids. Look at what we feed them. Look at what we allow in our school cafeterias and vending machines. Look at the empty playgrounds. Look at the commercial messages our children see and hear hour after hour, day after day and year after year. And, while we’re at it, look in the mirror. Like what you see? Look at what you eat. Look at what we allow in our workplace vending machines and cafeterias. Also, how’s that exercise program of yours working out?

Now, tell me, are we making progress with obesity? Are we taking any meaningful action to help our children avoid the physical, psychological and social pain that comes with being a fat kid who morphs into a fat adult? No? Why do you suppose that’s the case?

No judgment here, no finger wagging, just honest observation. I’m not here to moralize. Judgment and finger wagging just sends us off in the wrong direction. Time to face and accept facts. When it comes to health, we care more about talking than we do about doing. We would rather not offend someone than help someone. We’d rather blame someone else than accept responsibility. We’d rather deny than accept. It’s easier. No pain. Okay, I get it.

Of course, perhaps I have it wrong. Maybe you do care. Maybe you are ready to take action to remove unhealthy snacks from your homes and schools. Maybe you’ll encourage and support fitness education and activities. Maybe you are angry enough to demand that your elected officials watch over our kids by passing protective legislation. Maybe you truly get the fact that you have a responsibility to be a positive role model for children and that behavior is reflective.

Then again, perhaps you just like the sound of it.

And, finally, maybe, just maybe, Grandma and Grandpa, in all of their various guises, can find ways to say, “I love you” that don’t include pies, cakes, ice cream, sugar sodas, candy and cookies. Hey, I’m just saying.

– Grandpa Sam