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VISIBLE HEALTH TRENDS July 2009
For some time I've been aware of the obvious ... that there are a number of health changes taking place common throughout the global population. It's my job to be aware of these and aware of the impact they will have. These changes are clear to everyone involved in the health sector. And yet, in spite of widely held views, much of the worlds health sector will be completely swamped by the changes about to take place simply because they are largely resistant to change and are admitting they will be unprepared ... in spite of years of warning. And the shocking thing is those in charge are hardly even "batting an eye lid".
Most of these changes will not be noticed by the bulk of the population who are fixated on their daily tasks. They will be aware of the changes but like most other things if it doesn't impact them directly, most people will push it all to the back of their minds.
However, one of the global health trends is obesity.
This will give rise to a whole range of aggravated health conditions which will significantly impact the health of the general population - and the capability for the health sector to cope not only with obesity but consequently with all other areas of health care.
Today I was in a place where a lot of people had gathered. This in itself is not unusual. And yet, perhaps for the first time the scale of the obesity epidemic was brought home to me ... right there before my eyes. The number of people (mainly in sports shirts and shorts) who were vastly overweight was shocking. Not slightly over weight, but severely over weight. This is no disrespect to the people involved. However from a health perspective the sheer number of people that are or will be in receipt of extensive healthcare services due to increased physical weight is alarming. This will take a huge chunk of anyones health budget and will decrease the ability to deal with other healthcare areas. It will have an impact on general skills, productivity, quality of life and family life. And, the worst realisation is ... the obesity epidemic is set to increase.
The consequences of conditions such as a global increase in type 2 diabetes due to obesity is already starting to be unacceptable. All over the world the health alarm bells are ringing ... yet with few decision makers listening or knowing what to do. It is clear what has to be done.
This is a health area few regions of the world are immune to. This is an issue that will impact almost every society, every healthcare system, every country capability. How will it affect you?
This is an impending serious problem. It is simply one problem among a myriad of impending health problems. The world is changing. The pace of change is increasing. The challenges approaching us all are not simply a matter of government responsibility. They are a matter of individual responsibility above all else.
We need to take more responsibility. We need to stop believing it is some one elses responsibility and expect them to run our lives for us.
Regards
JS
If you don't understand the risks, how can you prepare? Can you afford to let the issues be blurred?
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