Who is Responsible For the Health Crisis in America?

BLAME-STORMING THE HEALTH CRISIS

Who is responsible for the health crisis in America? Is it the government? The state of the economy? Parents? Schools? What about you and me? Restaurants? Grocery stores? Or is it our busy schedules? How about those get-togethers and parties you attend? Maybe the presented food choices are to blame. Yes! "Blame." That is the word I was looking for! We are looking for someone or some institution to blame for our health crisis.

IS THERE A GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY?

Is there a government conspiracy? If so, just who are the conspirators? Let us get one thing straight. You and I do not need anyone's help in creating a health crisis. There is a reason for this. You and I are the greatest conspirators of our own lives. We have received more than enough information to let us know what to do to enhance our health and yet we, in many cases, do not act and make the changes. I think that clarifies the conspiracy theory in a nutshell. When I speak of this health crisis, I am not talking about medical insurance or medical costs or treatment. True, this is an important issue. However, this issue only touches on the surface of the problem. How we think, eat and live is the real cause. So who or what is responsible? Do you have an idea? Who is the villain or culprit?

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR HEALTH

You are personally responsible for all the decisions you make. Do not blame any institution or anyone else for your poor choices that lead to disease, illness and poor health.

WHY AMERICANS RANK LOW ON LONGEVITY

What has caused America to fall so far behind the statistics on longevity in the world? The ranking went from 11th to 42d. Americans do live longer, but not as long as 41 other countries, according to National Center on Health Statistics. Why is one of the richest countries in the world not able to keep up with other countries? Some say it is because the United States has no universal health care. I do not see that as the primary reason since we have never had universal health care. Here is what I think are some of the primary reasons for this trend:

• Adults in the United States have one of the highest obesity rates in the world. One third of U.S. adults 20 years and older are obese and about two thirds are overweight, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
• Americans are extremely sedentary in their lifestyles.
• Americans do not exercise at all or very little.
• Americans eat too much and they eat too much processed foods, sugar and fat.
• As long as the health care debate is limited to insurance, the health of Americans will not improve.