The United States is a great nation filled with great people. I love this country and for this very presuppose I continue to proudly serve as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. I'm also a man who used to show the way research in the biotech field, worked as a bodily fitness trainer, and have studied condition and fitness for most of my life. It is from this background and the aforementioned reasons that I would like to postulate an idea: A healthy habitancy can enhance the economic condition of the country.
Before delving into the ramifications of a healthy habitancy in terms of economic effects, I think it frugal to briefly eye some of the detriments an unhealthy lifestyle can have on a large population. These negative effects are to include, but to not be microscopic to: rising condition care costs, lost productivity, increased criminal action and national security. Let us take a occasion and look at these individually, their effects and how they could be mitigated for no further cost to the taxpayer.
Asvab Study
The costs of condition care continue to rise and are projected to continue to do so, with "current" spending at approximately 17.6% of the Gdp or .5 trillion (as of 2009). There are numerous reasons for these costs; along with assurance fraud, an aging withdrawal community and rising drug costs. A growing percentage of these costs are self-induced. These self-induced issues often stem from obesity, smoking, and poor nutrition. The symptoms can range from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, early onset diabetes, allergies, migraines, and even a variety of cancers. These issues place a burden on the curative law and existing federal programs. The list goes on, but I believe my point has been made. The self-inflicted problems facing the U.S.cannot be solved by trying to medicate our way out.
Studies have been done on productivity in multiple nations. While the U.S.remains a relatively productive nation, up-to-date studies indicate that the number of lost revenues is in the tens of billions. This is because of an accumulation of lost work days due to sick days, illness, and occupational injuries. This does not take into account lost productivity due to one's inability to focus or integrate on key tasks over a duration of time. Many of these illnesses and injuries could have been prevented or curtailed if the U.S. As a habitancy were healthier. Numerous studies have shown that increased weight leads to greater strain on the body. A lack of rehearsal leads to reduced muscle mass, which makes it easier to be susceptible to injury. An improper diet of foods rich in fats and sugars is deficient in significant nutrients the body needs to enounce "normal" and healthy metabolic functions. This means that it is far easier to get sick and stay sick for longer. A lack of ample fitness also makes it easier to come to be injured by doing habit tasks. These injuries and sicknesses often want expensive medications and expensive surgeries to correct. A uncomplicated turn in lifestyle could have dramatic effects in personal health, which would improve to the economic sector.
Increased criminal action is an often overlooked ensue of poor cusine and an unhealthy lifestyle. Take it a step further and look at up-to-date studies and it becomes even clearer. A study in the United Kingdom seeing at the link between violent behavior and cusine was conducted in 2006. This study arose from the knowledge that positive nutrients significant to optimal condition are often lacking in more aggressive individuals. The study took a prison habitancy and gave a positive segment vitamin supplements. There was a 37% drop in violent behavior among that group. The Dutch did a similar test with similar results. There have been other studies in relation to reasoning health, temperament and criminal behavior that have led to conclusions that were "common knowledge" in some societies in the past. Think how much could be saved with a less violent habitancy in terms of prison costs, prosecutions, law enforcement, and the effects on the social perception of safety.
Lastly, an unhealthy habitancy poses a threat to national security. According to a 2010 Mission Readiness report, 27% of 17 - 20 year olds are too overweight to join the military. Young men must have a body-fat percentage under 24% and women under 30% without a waiver (for the Army). Keep in mind these standards have been relaxed and that those percentages are typically thought about overweight, bordering on obese by most texts. This challenge is exacerbated when one looks at drafting potential from the general populace. Being overweight is not the only detriment to national security. A more loose association can be made between an individual's potential to integrate and preserve facts and the ample levels of nutrients and rehearsal the private receives. One then only needs to look at typical school diets, to see how execution in study is affected by the affliction of poor ample fitness. This lack of educational prowess has lead to more than 23% who cannot pass the Asvab (basic test of math, science and reading to get into military). One study shows stronger than anecdotal evidence that an improved diet and rehearsal lead to increased learner performance.
After seeing the profound effects that an unhealthy habitancy can have on multiple facets of our society, it only makes sense to address the basic and basic issues. The fixes, although thoughprovoking on a personal scale, are very modest on a national level and are ridiculously uncomplicated and cheap to implement. If individuals can sacrifice the amounts of fatty and refined foods they consume. If one can modestly increase the number of fruits and vegetables they eat. Last, if individuals drink more water and integrate all of this with mild rehearsal and proper sleep; there could be profound effects. These effects could ripple over the country in a positive wave of benefits that could increase productivity, sacrifice our need for expensive medications, sacrifice aggressive behaviors and make more habitancy eligible for our armed forces. This would translate into a reduced need for curative benefits, a reduced need for a variety of social services and increased productivity in the work place meaning greater profits. All of which could spur an economic recovery. This costs nothing to the nation, but requires a personal commitment and realization that small incremental changes are possible, a type of Plenary Fitness for the masses.
on the main page Universal Healthcare Reform on a Personal Level: enhancing America and Ourselves
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