How betting your health with unhealthy lifestyles is Similar to Vegas and Wall Street

Today, more health advocacy groups are being formed out of the frustration of the current healthcare environment our system has dissloved into. The question for many Americans has come down to if insurance is a right and not merely a privilege! The disconnect is that the insurance industry doesn't consider it either , but rather as an eligible service that can be provided to an eligible customer if you can afford it. By their definition health is a luxury.

When we go to Vegas the house bets against our odds of winning at black jack or Roulette; when we invest on Wall Street there is the odds we may lose it all on a stock or derivative. This same analogy might be applied to insurance as well. The house bets against you living long or healthy enough without (over)utilizing medical services so that the "house" can win against your bets(premiums).

But,with insurance the "house" doesn't know that you have an "ace up your sleeve" called the choice of prevention health.Utilizing the inexpensive healthy lifestyle with regular fitness, nutritional support, behavior modification/motivation, prevention education and personal responsibility to cultivate a "culture of wellness is the "ace" that individuals can use to maintain health. Using this "ace" results in safe and healthy weight, lowered cholesterol a better blood pressure, improving your immne system, having a better general well being, stronger muscles, having stronger bones, improved cardiovascular function and pulmonary reserve.

You don't get this kind of "ace" up your sleeve to play in Vegas or on Wall Street, but we should take advantage what the human body can do for itself when it is regularly given the opportunity to fortify itself with a healthy lifestyle.

If individuals are not aware of this heavy hand they can play in the game of health, they might just have to "fold" their hand and wind up losing everything to the "house"

We are "privileged" now to eat the way we want how much we want. We don't have to exercise or improve with healthier behaviors. We do not have to read prevention health literature and follow their guidelines or even take responsibility. But, this may result in our "rights" being monitored, taxed or even limited if they effect a burden by accumulating costs on the rest of society that is trying to maintain its health , keep premiums minimum and not utilize medical service.

We are beginning to see a growing attitude from state agencies, medical insurance companies and airlines which wish to charge a fine or extra fee for heavier customers much like a "sin tax". The right of living any type of lifestyle will soon become limited , curbed or taxed unless WE take care of our own health. Learn more how to develop a healthier lifestyle not just for your privilege to live any lifestyle you wish , but for keeping your right to control your body.

Dr. Wells, is a specialist of Internal Medicine who has worked with the USHHS, USPHS,NIH/National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute. Wells also has a Master's in Public Health with empahsis in Occupational and Environmental Health. More at www.fitfamily360.com

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