Healthy Care vs. Healthcare
Posted on May 13, 2010 by Jeffrey Newman
It seems to me that there should be some real interest on the part of our government and private sector in creatingo a “healthy care” industry focused on disease prevention and overall wellbeing. This would include nutrition and diet, exercise, lifestyle enhancemnet and mental health sustenance (sans drugs) including intellectual and emotional stimulation. We can’ t rely on healthcare providers to lead the way here, as doctors are trained to treat illnesses, mostly chronic illness and not to promote health and wellness. Through no fault of there own, they are wired to treat problems with drugs, surgery or other traditional therapeutics after the illness or disease has struck. So where is the engine for for the healthycare industry? There really isn’t one yet. There is a growing number of gyms and workout centers,a booming interest in nutraceuticals and vitamins but no company has approached the whole picture with an integrated approach to lifestyle, mental well being, nutritional medicine and exercise training. In addition, programs could be tailored towards age levels and interests. So why isn’t the government providing incentives for this since it would be a logical choice to save on rising healthcare costs, a lot of which goes into chronic care for cardiovascular disease and diabetes? Why hasn’t Nestles or Coke joined forces with Nike and Stoneyfield Farms, Kashi, Hollywood fitness and Bikram hot yoga? It’s got to happen if you believe in the power of the free market system. I don’t think the doctors need to worry about being put out of business for a long time. Maybe we need to create some scientific peer reviewed studies to show that a combination of medical nutrition, intense daily exercise, variety and lifelong learning will help to cure some of our major diseases and the economic burdens which they place on society. Of course we will need to fight the power of the food industry but that can be done. Look at what happened to big tobacco.