Health care

Most every American adult has an opinion — or opinions — on the problems with health care in this country. Knowing the problems and knowing how to fix them, we note, are two different things. Still, we know a bit about what the problems are.

While our elected leaders try to work out some sort of “reform,” they are working on the answers to serious, complicated, emotional issues. What those folks ultimately do or don’t do remains incredibly unclear. We can at least point to a few aspects of the debate that most of us can agree on as among the things we need to improve.

One, many of us eat a horrible diet. From the fried fast foods to the way we tell ourselves that eating, eating, eating is part of the holiday season, we have a nationwide food obsession that is slowly killing us. Eating healthier foods is at once easy and difficult. It’s easy to know that fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat and whole grains are better for our bodies than, oh, say, whatever might be on the menu at the county fair. The more difficult part (especially in these economic times) is wisely spending grocery dollars on healthy foods. It’s just a fact that healthy foods sometimes cost more, and so commitment must accompany this lifestyle change.

Two, we have too many dangerous vices. Tobacco and alcohol come immediately to mind. A glass of wine or a beer now and then — probably not a bad thing. Some medical folks even suggest that some alcohol forms in moderated amounts might actually help some bodily processes. Tobacco use, though … well, we don’t know that there is a level of tobacco use that’s useful in any shape, form or fashion. Certainly, we know that smoking kills lots of people every year. Smokeless tobacco has its dangers, too. So, until more of us decide not to use tobacco and really watch alcohol use, we aren’t doing all we can to protect our health. 

Three, with New Year’s Day about a month away, we can see from here all the resolutions to exercise more. Sadly, most of these pledges don’t live to Valentine’s Day, but exercise is one of the best ways to live a healthier, more productive life. But regular exercise takes too much time, right? We tell ourselves that, but a couple hours a week would go a long way toward better health. The key? Find a partner. Someone encouraging you to keep up the exercise pace is a big help.

Health care reform may or may not come about on a national scale. At this point, we wouldn’t put much of a bet either way. And if some sort of bill finds its way to the president’s desk, what the law will mean to us is anyone’s guess. Regardless of what the government does or doesn’t do, we can each take positive steps to improve our own health. Eat better. Drop some bad habits. Exercise. 

Do those and live better.