Health, the final human frontier

Human civilization breeds unhealthy people across many cultures. In nature however, unhealthy living kills.

The western concept of health is flawed because it's primarily a reactive model. Western hospitals are mainly concerned with halting sickness versus pro-actively stimulating healthy living.

As the politicos debate health care insurance coverage, the system bleeds money into the pockets of well connected drug companies.

The western health system has failed to promote holistic wellness by viewing its role as "in case of emergency," only.

This type of system generally rewards unhealthy habits with pharmaceutical compensations.

Obesity and diabetes occur frequently in such systems due to unhealthy diets and lack of exercise. Essentially, obesity and diabetes have been bred into the human race.

Further evidence of this type of system's failure can be witnessed in the society's reaction to health crises such as cancer.

Cancer is currently viewed as something to be cured instead of something to be avoided. Instead of pointing the microscopes at the disease and marching to find a cure, perhaps the same fervor and resources should be spent rooting out all sources of carcinogens and stopping them from entering our bodies.

Carcinogens accumulate in the body and develop into a myriad of cancers; and yet surprisingly, society allows trace plus amounts to be manufactured and enter our environment.

If the system were turned on its head and health care centers served primarily to educate and lead citizens in a healthy lifestyle, insurance rates would drop as emergencies decreased.

Comprehensive health centers should be lively places of healing and rejuvenation. Surely emergency centers must endure but the model must shift to encourage community involvement in health stimulating programs such as yoga and cooking for your health. Stimulating and supporting the body's natural healthy responses in these ways will improve the overall health of the member and the community.

Healthcare costs will decrease as community health improves, thereby eliminating opportunist drug companies by capping pharmaceutical profits naturally.

Such health care approaches would produce ripple effects on agriculture via the promotion of sustainable and organic farming practices, which in turn would limit the chemical exposure of agricultural workers and the end consumers.

Rippling further, manufacturing and production industries would be continually evaluated in order to limit the environmental introduction of chemicals hazardous to our health. Thus, the health of waterways would improve and natural balances would be restored through diversity.

The advancement of a society to a sustainable state must involve such comprehensive health care centers and systems.

It makes no difference if humans conquer space because they continue to carry flawed concepts of health with them.

Remember: A consistent health maintenance program including organic and sustainably raised foods (which contain the most nutrients thereby decreasing necessary consumption quantities) and yoga and exercises (which stimulate the body's natural defenses), contains the power to a healthier you, a healthier society and a healthier environment.

If you don't have your health, expect death sooner.