What comes to mind when you think about healthcare? I’m guessing it may include things like annual physicals with basic bloodwork, visits to doctors when you are under the weather, trips to the ER for injuries, lifesaving surgeries for a variety of conditions, nursing homes for rehab and our elderly. And let’s not forget the long lines at the pharmacy for prescriptions for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, among many of the growing list of other maladies of modern life. Back in the day, TV ads were for beer and cigarettes. Now they are a wide variety of prescription drugs with long lists of potential side effects that seem worse than the treated conditions. While these sometimes miraculous medications and healthcare procedures can be lifesaving and life-extending, to me they could be more accurately defined as sickcare vs healthcare.
Defining Healthcare
Merriam-Webster defines healthcare as 1: efforts made to maintain, restore, or promote someone’s physical, mental, or emotional well-being especially when performed by trained and licensed professionals. The term was first used in 1906, in a time before things like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes were rarely seen. Although life in those times included other health related issues like tuberculosis, gastrointestinal infections, and diphtheria, rarely seen today, in large part thanks to modern medicine, these were not diseases of lifestyle. Our lifestyle diseases are largely attributed to nutrition and activity, or more precisely, lack thereof. ,
Imagine Replacing Sick Care With True Healthcare
Imagine life with sick care replaced by true healthcare. A world where your annual physical doesn’t just check basic bloodwork but dives into nutritional guidance and personalized exercise plans to prevent future ailments. A world where your doctor spends time with you, discussing lifestyle choices and proactive measures instead of rushing to the next prescription. Imagine a pharmacy with a focus on supplements derived from whole foods, not shelves overflowing with synthetic medications.
Why the Change?
You might ask, “Why isn’t this already our reality?” The answer is complex. Our medical system is built around treating sickness, its reimbursement models often tied to procedures and prescriptions – it’s simply more profitable to treat than prevent. Furthermore, patients have been conditioned to expect a quick fix in the form of a pill, rather than actively participating in improving their own health.
The Path Forward
There is hope! Preventative health initiatives are gaining traction. Some doctors offer functional medicine, focused on root causes of ailments alongside traditional treatments. The rise in patient awareness of nutrition and its impact on health is undeniable. This means we as patients can demand better:
- Be proactive: Take control of your health journey. Research, question doctors, and seek out those who prioritize preventative measures.
- Lifestyle as Medicine: Prioritize whole foods, regular exercise, stress management, and quality sleep. (Especially sleep!)
- Support change: Advocate for policy changes that incentivize healthcare focused on wellness, not just illness.
It's a Choice
Healthcare, in its truest form, is about a life well-lived; one of vitality, not just managing disease. While ‘sick care’ will always have its place, we have the power to shift the paradigm. Let’s choose a culture where health thrives, not merely survives.
Call to Action!
I hope this sparks thought about our healthcare system. Share this article, discuss with friends, and be a voice for health empowerment!