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2005.
Awaiting revision 2008
21st CENTURY HEALTHCARE
What was the
greatest gift to healthcare in the 20th Century? Nobel laureate
Gary Becker suggests it is the extending of the human lifespan -
and he has a point.
GO BACK 100 YEARS
In 1900,
the expected lifespan in the western world was 45 years. In 2000 it
has extended by two thirds - to 75 years.
In 1900, birth was a very dangerous business; one in every ten
babies - and about the same number of mothers - died during, or
soon after, childbirth. Today, the comparable figures for the West
are near zero.
In those distant days 100 years ago, death was mainly caused by
matters beyond our control. If you survived the risks of
childbirth, fatal infections were common. Until the discovery of
Penicillin in the late 1920's, there was little protection against
diphtheria, polio, syphilis and tuberculosis. Even influenza was
frequently a killer.
The Industrial Revolution meant that by 1900, most people lived in
towns. Any connections with country knowledge - such as the herbal
tradition - had largely been lost.
TODAY - DEATH IS HABIT RELATED
In the 21st century, however, the causes of death are mainly
related to our habits and behaviours. Examples are:
* Over-consumption of fats and non-nutritious (junk) food,
* Insufficient exercise,
* Overdoses of recreational drugs,
* Suicide,
* Drunk driving, and
* AIDS.
CHEER UP!
The fact that most people contribute to their own early death
through their bad habits could be a bit depressing .... but hold on
- turn it around, and you can say:
LONG, HEALTHY, LIFE IS WITHIN YOUR CONSCIOUS
CONTROL!
YES - a long, healthy life really is YOURS for the
choosing - by changing your habits!
Of course, there is the odd person who is going to fall under a
bus! But for the majority, you really can choose to live a long and
healthy life -
IF ...
You are
Willing to Change Your Habits!
You can do this progressively, and gradually over a period
of years.
YOU ALREADY KNOW IT MAKES SENSE
If you are reading this ezine, you are already interested in
natural healthcare to a greater or lesser degree.
So, I am going to appeal to those of you who KNOW it makes sense to
change your habits - but are having some trouble!
Here are three important points which may help you to change from
unhealthy habits, to healthy habits.
[Next: First important point for good health...]
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