Pearson and Seifert, writers for the Austin American-Statesman, stated in an article “Want something to jump up and down about?” that 75% of the nation’s health care costs are primarily due to “three main preventative behaviors: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and smoking” (2009). They mention that, if more people took responsibility for their health behavior, the costs of health care would decrease dramatically.
Just as non-profit organizations have rallied for Americans to take an initiative to become more environmentally conscientious, it can be argued a national campaign could be launched encouraging people to “go green” in their health behaviors, as well. Educating people on both the health and the cost benefits of creating better health habits may be how we could campaign for “green health”.
During a time when health care reform is at the center of national debate in Washington, many people feel that they no longer have a say in the decisions being made concerning their health care benefits. The best thing about “green health” is that it puts the control of health care back in the hands of the American people, taking it out of the hands of the government.
By simply becoming more active, eating better, and abstaining from tobacco consumption; individuals would ultimately become a part of the fight against this epidemic of chronic diseases plaguing the lives of millions and driving up the costs of health care in America today. So maybe instead of investing billions of dollars in arbitrary efforts to fund health care plans, that may or may not decrease health care costs; we can promote “green health” behaviors and take back control over the battle for health care control.
Reference:
Pearson, D. & Seifert, J. (2009, Nov. 27). Want something to jump up and down about? In Austin American-Statesman, Retrieved on November 28, 2009, at http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/2009/11/27/1127health_edit.html
I would definitely advocate “Green Health” in public and private schools. My health teacher just said in class the other day that they are planning to take health classes out of school. I do think that if they are still “teaching” PE and Health the same way that I was taught all those years ago that they need to revamp those classes. In PE we did exercises and played games but physical fitness wasn’t taught. In Health all they ever told us was eat right (I go back to the 4 basic food group days too) and don’t have sex. I would recommend an entire integrated Holistic health program that not only teaches about all areas of health like Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Social, Spiritual, and Environmental Health but also how to implement it into your daily life and routine. I also believe they should halt the Abstinence only approach to sex. It’s inherent that not all kids will abstain from having sex. The problem with health classes now is they don’t educate about safe and responsible sex practices so those who do decide to engage in sex are on their own.
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