13 October 2012

A healthier nation …. The real purpose of the 21st Century.

Our expansion into innovative technologies, new social policies, global exploration/space exploration has been vast. The news that our human population has now hit 7 billion individuals may have a significant impact upon our resources, our society, our wellbeing …. our health!

All age ranges are affected with many different mental/physical afflictions; obesity, cancer, alcoholism, depression – no family or community are immune to these ravages that many of us suffer. In recent news the ‘UK baby boomers’ are cited as requiring more help for alcoholism (in fact ten times more than the youth generation.) Statistics define that an increase in eating disorders is affecting many people (anorexia nervosa equating to 75% of the eating disorders)  

Obesity is continually on the rise in many countries and is something we should reverse the trend on. Health figures in the USA are also depicting that Strokes are happening in younger people now too. It is critical we all become more active …. The majority will respond to this with ‘easier said than done’ or in the real world we all face some massive social/health/built environment constraints that directly affect our personal health.

The threat of superbugs is communicated to the public does raise awareness. None of this news should be a reason to ‘give up and embrace the doom and gloom’ yet a reinforcement measure of why our personal health, our community health and our national society health is a priority

Many will interpret this as investing in more health services – when it may be an option to invest in our fitness services and community connection. ‘Planning like health matters’ is an agenda which is slowly moving up the political agenda and gaining acceptance that the manner our towns and cities are planned and built will either improve or deteriorate our health. Walking distance to everything is more desirable than using the car!

There are no easy answers – yet one thing is assured. Our national/international mental/physical health levels should be prioritised. Healthy body and healthy mind – is the foundation to a general healthier locality and international community.

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