Public Health as Global Health

Education informs the public about health and unhealthy behavior choices and it is up to the public to decide whether they are going to change their behavior based upon evidence.  One would think that when someone is informed of negative health effects and the benefits of pursuing one course of action over the other that they would always make the correct choice but that is not how we operate as human.  Also, we do not always have the tools necessary to make the correct decision.  Also even with the correct tools we may not have the means or mode to make those corrective changes.  It takes more than just education, even regulation is not a cure all because some of the same problems that I just spoke of will still exist.  When we look at the cause of death and disease that are plaguing the population we would be incline to say that people choose their own health, but I beg the differ.

The top three cause of death are smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity followed by alcohol consumption.  Behind each of these cause of death is an underlying problem that we may be able to see or fix with changes in health behavior.  Some of the causes of why people drinks, smoke, overeat, etc., are systematic and physiological. Without looking at the root of these issues can we treat the problem or are we only putting on a band aid?  I would say in order for people to change their behavior and move towards better health we must look at the underlying causes and address those as well. People living in food deserts and in poverty are not overweight because they may just love to eat, but because they are not eating the appropriate things or because their body has stored fat due to many days of lack of food. When these people do eat they are not thinking about nutrition, but survival.  The idea of survival overrides the knowledge of health. Also what we eat does make a difference.

In today’s society we are encourage to eat better, eat healthier, however the foods that are affordable are not healthier food.  Organic food, cost about twice that of regular food.  Buying junk food could cost a dollar, whereas fruit and vegetables could range from $1/lb to $4/lb according to the season. So yes, education does work, but survival is necessary.  With education should also come measures to reduce consumer cost at the grocery stores! Many of the fruit and vegetables when not bought would be thrown away, but this does not make national new nor does it come into account when making statements regarding the health of a nation.  There are many factors that go into why people are unhealthy, and some of those are income inequality, access and means.

In conclusion, No, I do not believe that people choose their own health.  Many factors go into this equation along with what is in the environment, additives in the food etc.