If you want to live a long and health life the evidence shows the best way to do so is to be wealthy.
Statistically those who can afford to pay for healthcare tend to live longer and better. Much has been said about this, are the wealthy better at staying healthy? Can they afford better care? Or are they healthier because of the lifestyle? “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” is a quote attributed to Ben Franklin, a man who was healthy, wealthy and wise.
Is the cost of care the most determinant factor in health? Do we need to have healthcare cost paid for, is healthcare a right? Universal healthcare is needed to ensure the most vulnerable of our society can lead a healthy life. Good wealth should not be a factor of health.
I believe staying healthy and preventing hospital and medical interventions is the most cost effective way to provide healthcare. The goal of the medical profession should be on keeping patients out of hospitals, avoiding surgeries and minimizing pharmaceuticals.
We have learned a great deal from research in healthcare. Since the time of Florence Nightingale we have known that the best way to avoid spreading germs is to wash your hands. Yet most health professionals still do not do it. In fact recently medical journals have reported that the best way to avoid spreading germs is to “wash your hands”. Isn’t that what your mother told you? There is more that we can do ourselves to prevent disease, much of it is wise advice that has been communicate through the ages. Eat healthy food, natural ingredients and less processed foods. Get a good night’s sleep. Spend time with friend and family. Keep active, play, laugh and dance.
