Here we go now! Blog Entry Week One.
This week is about how our behavior is one of the most important factors that determines your health. Text will be minimal and I’m going to highlight only one or two main points per week. So check it.
This shows that behavioral patterns contribute 40% to premature death. This is more than genetic disposition, social circumstances, environmental exposure and health care. Thus our health depends less on our genes, than our behavior. If you have a rare genetic condition, then yes, your genes will contribute to more of your health outcome, but for most of us, our behavior is a bigger factor. Let me also point out that health care accounts for only 10% of our health outcome. That means what I can do as a doctor is only 10%, whereas what you can do is 40%. So if you think of splurging when you are young and expecting the doctor to fix all of your health problems with a pill, think again.
Of deaths caused by Behavior (not genetics, social circumstances, or environment), smoking is the leading cause, followed by obesity. So the next couple weeks will be about smoking, then obesity.
One of my patients this week with congestive heart failure, told me that he wished someone had told him these things before. So here I am trying to tell you. Education is empowerment.
That’s all folks.
The figures were taken from this paper. (I will cite all more sources and if you want the primary source, send me an email).
9 comments:
Just goes to show you, you don't need need to graduate from Harvard Med. Just have one of your friends democratize his edu. and you're pretty much a doctor.
Thanks Jas. Very interesting and helpful information. Keep it up and we'll soon all benefit from your Harvard education. :)
dear jason,
it was educational, and i thank you ever so kindly for the information you provided on your internet blog space. i miss you, and cannot wait until the day i may embrace you in person, once more.
sincerely,
brian oh
Thank you Jason ~ looks informative and interesting! I was wondering though about the difference between social circumstances and behavior. I feel that they must be closely related (?).
Elise
that's a great question. Social forces do play a huge role in determining our behavior. One might not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. one may not have the time luxury to exercise because of working 12 hr shifts. A doctor may not treat a person of color the same way he does someone else. These social determinants of disease require social change and action.
that being said, people first need to be educated on the issues before they are conscious of the social factors at work. So i see this as a critical juncture for greater social action. Nonetheless the individual can and should try to influence their own health outcomes for those that hinge on behavior.
well look at that! drugs and sex rank least for number of deaths. i know wat im doing tonight... =X
thanks for the info jason. =] hope to see you back in cali soon.
~kevin
I must reply to say that the data doesn't advocate drugs or unprotected sex...This data is population based. That means that there is a small percentage of the population dying from drug because not that many people use drugs. of course if you are addicted to drugs, then your risk of dying probably increases exponentially.
Sweet, JAS! I'll continue to check-in... I'm interested in learning more about the potential link between obesity and cancer (that is if you come across this topic in class). I'm glad you're having fun with your education! High-five on empowerment!
Hey Jamie
thanks for reading =). Obesity will be the next series after smoking.
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