Short Cuts to Good Health

Submitted by Rex Head

We have all heard the saying, "no pain, no gain." While it is generally true that nothing worthwhile comes without significant effort, there are some notable exceptions in the world of health.

Many spend 30 to 60 minutes a week exercising to improve health, yet don't spend 2 seconds to put on seat belts to drive home from the gym. While I don't want to downplay the importance of exercise, statistically the healthiest exercise in the world is reaching across you waist and doing up your seat belt.

Accidents are a major cause of death and disability for every age group. If everyone on campus would simply use safety belts, car seats, and bicycle helmets for themselves and their families, it would save more lives and disability than any other health measure. WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT!!

A generation or two ago measles, mumps, rubella, polio, ECT., were part of life. Thanks to immunizations, today these diseases are rare in the United States, and we seem to have forgotten about the lifelong disabilities, birth defects, and deaths that for centuries have followed in a the wake of these diseases. The current generation's new parents have no personal recollection of these diseases and their horrors, and as a result low immunization rates threaten to bring them back as a reminder. IMMUNIZE!!

There are many other preventive measures that can be taken where a small initial effort can pay big benefits. Not all these recommendations fit every person. You may want to consult your physician. Other possible short cuts to health include:

A half an aspirin a day can, for many people, significantly reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Many studies tout the benefits of antioxidants, like vitamin C, E, and beta carotene, for reducing the risks of everything from the common cold to cancer.

Pap smears and mammograms save thousands of lives every year.

Faculty/Staff Bulletin--June 30, 1998