Let's Walk the Talk on Obesity

Let’s replace lip service

with ‘hip service’!

Dr. Delos Cosgrove, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, reported in the February 18, 2010 issue of FORTUNE magazine that, “Obesity accounts for 10% of the cost of health care in the U.S. — we will never be able to control the cost of health care until we begin to control the epidemic of obesity. Two-thirds of the U.S. is overweight, and one-third is obese. We are the fattest nation in the world. Our rate of obesity is going up so much that probably half the U.S. will be obese in the next 20 years. We have to do something, and there are plenty of things we can do.”

How about insisting on Daily Physical Education with a fitness focus in our preschools and beyond? Let’s replace lip service with ‘hip service’!

America on Drugs

Is our health care system costing us our health?

Craig Stellpflug’s article, Misguided Trust – America on Drugs, presents a bleak picture of health care in America. Emphasis on drugs, rather than on healthy lifestyle is costly. America’s health care costs will soar to $4.1 trillion annually. We spend more for health care than any other country, yet we are only 34th in the world for infant mortality and 42nd for life expectancy.

Craig presents other startling statistics, then ends his article, encouraging us to eat quality food, exercise daily and find positive ways to focus on positive things and creative hobbies. Check out Craig on his Healing Pathways website.

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International Wellness Coordinators’ Conference

Interested in employee wellness and the bottom line health care costs?

If you are a Wellness Coordinator, Wellness Director, Benefits Manager, HR Director, Industry Market Leader or related profession that addresses employee wellness, be sure to attend this conference in Scottsdale, Arizona from March 11 to 13th. I am thrilled to be involved, conducting an entertaining, evening Wellness Celebration. Hope to see you there!

Jeff Haebig