Why is YOUR Health THEIR Business? By Kara Davis, M.D.
Let me preface the following commentary by saying, “I LOVE CAPITALISM!”
Our system of capitalism affords freedom, opportunity and
the power of choice for everyone—the entrepreneur, as well as the
consumer. It’s a system that encourages
competition, and competition brings about better products at better
prices. But, as with most things, there
are pros and cons to capitalism, and this is especially true when it comes to
our health.
Over and over again, when I am presenting to groups on the
topic of health, and I bring up the role of big business, I witness a
jaw-dropping, eye-opening response—especially with respect to preventable
disease. This is because, unless you are
extremely shrewd, you are not likely to realize the dramatic influence the
business world has on our personal health and well being.
Consider this:
1. BIG BUSINESS spends billions of dollars
on marketing and advertising to persuade us to consume foods and beverages that
increase the risk for obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and
cardiovascular disease.
2. BIG
BUSINESS governs food availability to the extent that certain neighborhoods
are categorized as “food deserts” where residents have limited access to fresh,
wholesome foods and “grocery” shopping is done at places like gasoline stations
and convenience stores.
3. BIG
BUSINESS creates cigarette advertisements which appeal to teens, and posts
billboards for alcohol in places of hopelessness— neighborhoods that are destitute
and poverty stricken.
4. BIG
BUSINESS develops advertisements especially appealing to kids for foods
that are high in sugar, sodium, saturated fat and calories.
5. BIG
BUSINESS oversees the research, development and marketing of prescription
medications that cost a fortune, but are necessary to treat the diseases which
result from numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Did I say I LOVE
CAPITALISM? Indeed I do!
And I’m not being sarcastic—capitalism is a wonderful system,
but as the saying goes, “LET THE BUYER
BEWARE.” We must be educated
consumers, especially when it comes to what we put inside our bodies, which
brings to mind another cliché: “THE BUCK
STOPS HERE.”
Ultimately, we as consumers are responsible for our health—big
business has every right to advertise and market their products, but we have
the right to make decisions which are beneficial and not detrimental. So the answer to the question, “Why is YOUR health
THEIR business?” is this: It’s only if
you want it to be! Let’s make the choice
for better health!
Let me know what you think!
Contact me through the BOSS Network, or at www.drkaradavis.com, www.facebook.com/DrKaraDavis
or Twitter @DrKaraDavis.
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