Is the CDC looking out for us?

Our country is in the midst of a huge health crisis.

According to the CDC’s recently released Annual Report on the Nation’s Health, the U.S. spends over $2 trillion a year on healthcare. In fact, according to the report, “The United States spends a larger share of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health than does any other major industrialized country.”

Even though our country spends more than $2 trillion a year on healthcare,  chronic diseases are the epidemic of our generation and food-related diseases are the No. 1 cause of preventable death. The following health risk factors are analyzed in the study:

• Cigarette Smoking
• Participation in Leisure-time Aerobic and Muscle-strengthening Activities
• Obesity Among Children
• Overweight and Obesity Among Adults
• Hypertension Prevalence
• High Serum Total Cholesterol (240 mg/dL or Higher)

All of the above are lifestyle related and there is NO DISCUSSION in the report regarding prevention by lifestyle modification!

Our healthcare system relies on medications and surgeries as opposed instead of focusing on prevention and education. In fact, if you take the time to review the report, you will see that under the section entitled “Prevention”, there are only two sections: “Statin Drug Use” and “Influenza Vaccination”.

Our good health begins with us. We are responsible. Good health begins with daily diet and lifestyle choices. Look at your own life and ask, is there one thing you could change now that would make a difference for your health?