Many of us consider health and healing to be a profession outside of our range, something that is better left to licensed experts and other qualified persons. Even many medical professionals are not in tune with their practical needs, options and the governing principles, as it pertains to our overall health. True health in all of its dynamics, physical, mental, spiritual and social, demands our attention. We are facing a pandemic crisis that threatens our very way of life.
Some of you might think that an over-statement, but let’s consider the facts, in America, for a moment. According to the CDC:
- 7 of every 10 Americans who die each year, die of a chronic disease
- More than 75% of the nation’s $2 trillion medical-care costs are a result of chronic diseases
- 6 out of every 10 adults will develop some form of Heart Disease
- 1 in 2 will die of Heart Disease
- 6 in 10 of first time Heart Attacks are fatal
- 4 out of every 10 of us will develop Cancer
- 1 in 4 will die of Cancer
- In adults ages 45-59—From the years 1959-2000 Diabetes rates have increased 900%
Mental Illness Statistics are no different:
- 1 out of every 4 American’s 18+ suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder per year
- 44% with mental disorders meet the criteria for 2 or more
- Depression takes over as 2nd underlying cause of disability by 2020
- Mental disorders –leading cause of disability in America—ages 14-44
- The # of Americans with Alzheimer’s has doubled since 1980
- 1 in 10 65+ have Alzheimer’s increasing to ≈5 in 10 85+ (AD cuts life expectancy in half)
We still have a lot of money, even considering the economic depression we are in, when compared to other nations. Yet, we rank very low in overall quality and/or effectiveness of healthcare. If our healthcare system was working there wouldn’t be all this talk of reform. I submit, however, that reforms of the economic and accessibility aspects of healthcare are not going to solve the problem of the nation’s degrading health and decreasing healthy longevity.
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