Choice
The same principles for health that existed from creation still applies today Creation Health Discovery: God’s Guide to Health and Healing
– we can choose health by following a lifestyle that contributes to health and well-being.
Genes are responsible for approximately 15-20% of diseases. According to Dr Bortz, Stanford University Professor and author of Dare to Be 100: 99 Steps to a Long, Healthy Life
Former US president Bill Clinton stated that the “most serious hurt is self inflicted.” Behavioral and lifestyle risk factors account for 40-70% of all premature deaths, 33% of all cases of acute disability and 80% of chronic disability cases in the US (Gabany & Peterson).
Chronic diseases are a huge financial burden on health care systems worldwide. Many chronic diseases are linked to lifestyle choices. Approximately 80% of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, and 40% of cancer in Europe, could be prevented by eliminating common lifestyle risk factors.
There are many factors that affect choice but perhaps one of the most compelling is the persuasive techniques used in some subtle and even overt marketing campaigns.
These marketing ploys are seen in advertisements for tobacco products, alcohol, fast food chains, energy drinks, and many pharmaceutical products.
Some Outcomes Related to Choice
“Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death” (US Surgeon General), but approximately 1.3 billion people in the world choose to smoke. A smokers life expectancy is shortened by about three hours for each day he or she smokes. On average an adult smoker’s life expectancy is reduced by 14 years.
Smoking increases the risks for heart disease, cancer, stroke, emphysema, high blood pressure, ulcers, and colds in addition to causing wrinkles. Second-hand smoke also has detrimental effects on health such as lower respiratory track infections and even death, especially for children. If you are ready to quit there is help - Easy Way to Stop Smoking (Book & Cds)
Alcohol use was responsible for 76% of about 12 million admissions for drug treatment in the US in 2002, and causes approximately 100,000 deaths annually. Alcohol use in pregnancy accounts for such birth defects as growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities, central nervous system impairment, behavioral disorders and impaired intellectual development. Resource for dealing with alcohol Dealing With Drink : Alcohol and Social Policy; From Treatment to Management
Caffeine one of the world’s most commonly used drugs is found in coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, diet pills, and antihistamines. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases heart rate, and can cause nervousness, high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia and restlessness.
The first step toward health or disease begins with choice. Choose health!
