If we focus on health more than healthcare, then in today's world, we as individuals should take more responsibility for our health and rely less on the healthcare industry. Why? The healthcare industry does not, in general, promote health, but rather treats the symptoms of unhealthiness and disease. If we, ourselves, improve our health, not only will we not need as much healthcare, but also most likely experience less illness and disease.

It's hard for us to find time to do what's necessary in taking responsibility for our own health. Instead we depend on the healthcare industry to take care of us. A trip to the doctor, a pill or two from the pharmacy and we're good to go again. But, by doing so, have we improved our health or cured the illness or just covered it up until it comes back, leading to more doctor visits, prescriptions, etc?

Such methods, that enable us to live in a semi-healthy state, are expensive, never give us long-term solutions to our health problems and don't provide the methods for preventing the illness in the first place. Only you, the individual can take control of your life, your eating and exercise habits and personally know what works and what doesn't work for you, what keeps you healthy and what makes you sick.

Doctors, in most cases, have not been trained to provide preventive health care information, i.e. nutrition, exercise, supplements, etc. Most are bombarded by drug companies pushing the latest drug that will solve health problems and, of course, drug companies are out to make millions by pushing the latest pill in TV, magazine and newspaper ads, telling us to "ask your doctor if 'XXX' is right for you."

How can we focus on health? Some ideas:

1. Look at your lifestyle, i.e. eating habits, exercise regimen, substance abuse. Make changes necessary to improve your health.

2. Get educated. Go online and review the wealth of information offered free of charge. Look for alternative treatments with an open mind.

3. Find a doctor or health care professional that promotes prevention not a band-aid drug. Look for a cure, not a temporary fix.

4. Depend less on the healthcare system and more on what you can do for yourself. Don't run to the doctor for minor illnesses.

5. Take the time to read labels, ask questions, look for alternatives.

The results: less illness and disease, a more active lifestyle, longer life, better educated and healthier population. Bottom line: by focusing on your health you will be able to prevent illness and reduce the need for a healthcare system that may not solve your problems anyway.

As a nation we can focus on health rather than healthcare by promoting preventive care training for our doctors, teaching it in our public schools and promoting it through the media. Drug ads replaced by ads promoting methods of obtaining a healthy lifestyle would be refreshing.

Learn more about this author, Judith Richards.
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