must be expanded to include factors associated with chronic disease
and ill health. These include the food people consume, levels of phys-
ical activity and stress.
How can we change a population’s eating and activity habits?
Much the same way that most people have been convinced to wear
seat belts and smoking has been significantly reduced — with educa-
tion. But that process cannot include lobbyists from the food industry
and others who have conflicts of interest. There is a consensus of sci-
entific and medical information that could serve as the foundation for
education and recommendations.
The remaining chapters in this book continue the process of learn-
ing about fitness and health. They highlight some very important
issues that put into focus the information from all previous chapters.
This includes discussions about some of the problems people fear
most — cancer, heart disease and poor aging, as well as the issues that
are the causes of these and other health problems — stress, being
overfat and chronic inflammation. These chapters also address areas
of the body that are primary for physical, chemical and mental health
— the muscles and bones, gut and brain.
Today there’s a revolution afoot in the world of health care.
Growing numbers of people are beginning to realize they must take
personal responsibility for health. This revolution finds people shift-
ing their efforts from crisis intervention to disease prevention. Instead
of just regular visits to the doctor, these people are seeking informa-
tion that can help them not only live longer but also enjoy a higher
quality of life. Disease is not an unavoidable option for these people.
The prospect of spending 12 completely dysfunctional years at the
end of a lifetime is just not acceptable to them. In fact many people
now rank longevity and quality of life as their No. 1 goal, and also
recognize the enormously important role that diet, nutrition and exer-
cise play in reaching this goal. I call this revolutionary movement self-
health care.
In addition to longevity and quality-of-life issues, many people
also are fed up with the expense of the modern health-care system.
Health care is the single largest sector in the U.S. economy. In 2008,
health-care spending reached $2.4 trillion, and is projected to exceed
$3 trillion in 2012. This is 17 percent of the gross domestic product
SELF-HEALTH CARE • 235