In order to once again become a strong nation, we must be a smart one...it starts with YOU!

Health Literacy

October is designated as Health Literacy month. For the last 13 years, the message worldwide has been stressing the importance of understandable health information.

Health Literacy is a person's ability to process and understand basic health information in order to determine how to self-manage certain conditions, grasp general illness prevention, and make educated decisions about health and well being.

People that have difficulty understanding health information that's commonly available have a hard time managing chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes, and tend to visit the emergency room more frequently. To turn this around, the hope is to provide everyone with accurate health information, delivering health information and services personally, and supporting learning and skills for a lifetime of good health.

Educating yourself and your loved ones about common illnesses and lifestyle related diseases is important! Taking responsibility for the Nation's health care crisis starts at home!

Here are some helpful tips to help you get started:

1. Know your data! When the nurse or PA checks your blood pressure, ask what it is. Remember that number and be sure to mention it to the doctor. Ditto with blood lab results. Ask for a copy and do some homework to find out what those numbers mean.

2. Ask questions! If you aren't sure about something, get clarification. Be proactive about looking up health care info. It is important to double check facts and make sure your information is coming from reliable sources.

3. Know your family history. There is a genetic link to most lifestyle related diseases. This information shouldn't be an excuse, but a call to action. If high cholesterol runs in your family, it is YOUR responsibility to take action.

4. Discuss alternatives. Doctors are trained to treat disease with medicine, not prevent it in the first place. If your doctor prescribes something, ask about all side effects and whether there are healthier ways to combat the issue. Don't be afraid to get several opinions.

5. Pass it on. Information is only useful when you share it and only valuable when you use it. Discuss your health with people you trust and share what you know with them! This is especially important with your children.

The United States is sick, poor, and uneducated. Sad, but true. In order to once again become a strong nation, we must be a smart one...it starts with YOU!

What does it take to motivate a nation?

This was my response to a post on Linked In that posed the question:

How do we (as health professionals) reach the majority of the population that is not currently active and are at risk for life style related diseases?

After reading posts from world renowned health professionals from across the country...I figured I would go on record with my answer...I posted the following...

What I find interesting is that we all have the same goal...reach the majority of the population that is draining this country's bank account due to poor lifestyle choices. The solutions are long term and complicated.

First of all, we need to focus on the kids. The nation's teenagers are on the fast track to lifestyle related disease in their LATE 20's! Unless pop superstars start getting on TV and saying "stop eating crap!" this country is in big trouble.

With that being said, educating parents on how to raise a healthier generation also starts with media attention. There is way too much conflicting information and sadly we are a "quick fix" society with a herd mentality. It needs to become "cool" to be healthy and "uncool" to eat junk.

In addition, back in the day in suburban Chicago, hospitals had wellness/fitness centers that funneled the lifestyle related disease population into the cooperative fitness centers and were personally addressed by well qualified trainers. When the economy tanked, apparently so did this concept. Out in AZ where I am now, there are no hospital based fitness centers at all. Ditto on corporate fitness centers. Insurance companies as the driver? It very well could be...

Regardless of economic or social standing, unless young children are educated on human body basics, parents are educated on how to healthfully feel a family on a budget, and our baby boomers are given consistent and correct information by reliable sources, we can chit chat on forums all day long.

As professionals, it is time for us to coordinate and mobilize in unity. President Clinton has an initiative already started, Beyonce is showing up in gym classes, the possibilities are within our reach and it is the fitness industry's responsibility to grab that brass ring (and be ready!)

Anyone care to add to this??

3 days ago