Sunday, December 12, 2010

U.S. Life Expectancy Continues To Fall - Where Are We Going Wrong?

According to a recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, American’s life expectancy is falling, not rising.

Not good. Our life expectancy should be increasing, shouldn’t it? After all, we spend more money than any other nation in the world on “health care”. We have more hospitals, more doctors, more nurses, more drugs, and more surgeries than any other nation in the world; so how are we LOSING LIFE? And why are we ranked 37th out of 39 developed nations by the World Health Organization in terms of healthiest nations?

Because we are also the most irresponsible, lazy, and marketed to nation in the world. We are raised with the immediate gratification, “pop a pill”, victim mentality. Victims of our genes, victims of germs, victims of bad luck. How is that working for us? How is the brainwashing by Big Pharma, Fast Food companies, and Big Government affecting us? It’s killing us. Not just in terms of health, but in every societal and economic sense.

Our society and economy are affected because we are continuously marketed to and exploited by Big Business and a government that doesn’t care about our health or our quality of life, only our money. This money focus trickles down to the minds of the public and leads to a mentality of “more”; which leads to a loss of priorities and ultimately, a breakdown of the family unit. Instead of being home having a family dinner, parents are working late to “keep up with the Joneses” and letting strangers raise their children.

What does this financial stress do to families and marriages? It destroys them. Don’t look now, but two parent households are a minority in this nation. Do you think that impacts the self-esteem of our children? Do you think their self-esteem affects our society? Before you answer that question, take a look at the number of children on anti-depressant drugs, at the number of school shootings, and at suicide rates from birth to age 25.

The only solution to this societal, economic, and health decay is accountability. Accountability to yourself for your health, for your happiness, and for your focus. And accountability to your children to be a role model as to how to live a healthy life. We have to stand in opposition to the mainstream and consciously CHOOSE health and consciously CHOOSE life.

What does that look like? Continuously, on a day to day, minute to minute basis choosing healthy nutrition, healthy exercise habits, and healthy relationships and attitudes. It means educating yourself and discovering true health care practitioners like Chiropractors that have your best interests in mind. It means being proactive instead of reactive. It means spending a few dollars today to prevent becoming bankrupt by chronic disease tomorrow.

If you don’t educate yourself and take interest in what’s best for you and your family, who will do that for you?