don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

I was pleased to learn (Oct. 30 issue of The Lancet) that the U.N. now recognizes unhealthy lifestyles as a grave threat worldwide, not just as a side effect of affluence in the developed world. The latest "WHO World Health Report 2002" depicts lifestyle problems associated with alcohol, tobacco, high blood pressure and high cholesterol as leading causes of disease in both developing and developed countries. The author of the report stated, "There is no longer a risk or disease that is the exclusive preserve of the rich countries." How true.

The death toll attributed to tobacco use alone is expected to reach 9 million per year by the end of the next decade. This is a near doubling from the current 5 million annual deaths. People are smoking more than ever, even though rates are down in western countries that have invested in anti-tobacco awareness campaigns. Not far behind as weapons in the arsenal of the universal Grim Reaper is obesity. Deaths from this lifestyle disorder will top 5 million annually, up from the current 3 million deaths annually.

The leading risk factors that contribute to death and disease rates worldwide are maternal and childhood underweight, unsafe sex, high blood pressure, tobacco and alcohol use. In the very poorest regions of the world, childhood and maternal underweight, unsafe sex, unsafe water, sanitation problems, poor hygiene, indoor air pollution and malnutrition are the major causes of loss of healthy life. These leading risk factors account for about 40 percent of the 56 million deaths annually. If healthier lifestyles could be achieved, healthy life spans would increase by more than 16 years per person in parts of Africa and by about five years in the most highly developed countries, such as the U.S., Japan and Europe.

None of the risk data about life in the developed world will be news to Americans, who are quite aware of the fact that there is and has been an obesity and diabetes epidemic for years in this country. We are an aging, sedentary society with very poor access to medical care for a large percentage of the citizenry.

Not surprisingly, the WHO report is focused on the problems of low-level worseness, and little or nothing is written about HOW to improve the statistics except to note the obvious (for example, "increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, exercise more and manage stress better.")

I believe what works in America would be equally effective worldwide. Instead of relying solely on efforts to frighten people into lifestyle reforms with the terrible truth (in other words, careless behaviors lead to unnecessary illnesses and early death), better WHO should promote the advantages that go with the adoption and practice of wellness principles. WHO should emphasize that healthy practices not only reduce negative risks but also increase positive satisfactions. While people have to wait years NOT to get lifestyle diseases from following scare tactic advice and NOT doing things they enjoy, the beneficial and attractive returns from wellness would be more appealing and the results would be near-term. Everyone, wherever he or she lives, rich and poor alike, wants to feel strong, look good, have energy to spare and enjoy confidence and a strong sense of self-worth based on accomplishments from living well and wisely.

Let's hope the next WHO report promotes wellness in addition to providing the facts about worseness. Better than just "hoping" for this, let's write or otherwise influence the UN to take the next step. Go WHO -- seek wellness.

Be well. Always look on the bright side of life.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the PHYSICAL DOMAIN under the skill area of lifestyle habits. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

 Send e-mail to Don Ardell