Up for discussion

Published Feb 25, 2002

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The following is an excerpt from an article, "Apocalypse When?" by Christopher W. Bryan-Brown and Kathleen Dracup as found in the January, 2002 issue of the American Journal of Critical Care:

The Department of Agriculture is promoting a farmer-friendly diet over a healthier one. Of course, the idea of conserving critical care resources by maintaining a healthier lifestyle may initially seem like an unobtainable goal, especially in an economy that depends on consumerism. In some areas, the sterotypical future intensive care patient is overweight, guzzling hamburgers and gasoline in a sport-utility vehicle, and feels that legs will always be needed for braking and accelerating, rather as a primary means of locomotion. The idea of cutting down on utilization of intensive care service by having a healthier population is too long term and radical for most of us to contemplate. As we are dealing with an aging population, with a large quantity of disease attributable to an unnecessarily and avoidably poor lifestyle, the need for change is obvious. The motivation for those we elect into authority to promote vital changes is low, as it would cut across too many political and busines interests. ... A healthy longevity is not out of reach and should be the aim for all of us. It will help cut down on utilization of intensive care service. ... Unless healthcare promotes a healthier way of living to prevent disease, we will continue to have problems in providing enough curative care.

My thoughts exactly!