   |  Global Issues | What health care issues impact the rest of the world - and what are the most pressing global health threats? | |
| | Story of the Week | March 12, 2008 | | A bad deal for developing nations | By Mike Magee, MD Ever heard of the “dual burden of disease”? The idea is that infectious diseases from the developing world (as a byproduct of poverty, famine, lack of access to clean, safe water and forced migration tied to warfare) are intermingling with chronic diseases from the developed world (as a result of tobacco marketing, cancer and obesity-inducing diets, and pollution). Globalization sends such health issues as Bird Flu and resistant Tuberculosis in one direction and the export of tobacco advertising and the obesity-causing "modern diet" in the reverse direction. The resulting worry: Soon we will all share the worst of both worlds.
A particular case in point of this phenomenon is U.S. "factory farming" and the exportation of the modern American diet. While the success of modern farming is undeniable, there have been tradeoffs as we have marched steadily toward high-protein, high-corn, high-processed and high-consumption foods, which translate reliably into chronic obesity and chronic disease.
Meat is just one case in point. Today’s “factory farms” utilize assembly line operations that consume enormous amounts of water, energy, corn and food additives, including antibiotics, while producing significant pollutants and greenhouse gases. We then over-consume the product -- at twice the global average. Today each of us consumes almost 200 pounds of meat a year. That's about 110 grams of protein a day, which is twice the recommended amount and close to three times what we probably need. Statistics show we are pushing these consumptive habits to countries all around the world, with a deadly result: As the United States and other developed nations have shifted increasingly from grains to corn-based processed meats and other foods, our rates of chronic disease (including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, strokes and certain cancers) have escalated.
In the meantime, the damage to the environment caused by our factory farms -- from the addition of greenhouse gasses to pollution of water sources and acceleration of deforestation -- is well-documented.
So what should we do? In this week’s video program, embedded with this blog, I offer some suggestions, ranging from public education to a shift back to grains as the staple of our diet. Before we do anything, though, we need awareness and discussion. Watch the video and let me know what you think: Is the American diet the right way to go?
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| | February 28, 2008 | | A cloud over planet earth | By Mike Magee, MD 
When it comes to tobacco, the facts make their own case. This is true locally, as with the numbers on second-hand smoke induced disease, which have pushed most of the US indoor public space to go "smoke-free." It is also true globally. Here are a few facts:
1. There are 1.3 billion smokers on the planet, with about 1/2 coming from China (30%), India (11%), and Indonesia (5%).
2. In 1970, 60% of smokers hailed from developed nations, and 40% from developing nations. Today 25% are from developed countries and 75% from developing countries.
3. Projected deaths from smoking in the next 25 years: 41 million from developed nations, 135 million from developing nations.
4. Currently tobacco kills 5.4 million worldwide per year according to the WHO. In 25 years, it will be 8 million per year. US smokers? They make up 4.5 of the world's smoking population.
5. Gender disparity rules tobacco in the developing world. China smokers - 60% of all males, 4% of all females; India - 33% of all males, 4% of all females; Indonesia - 66% of all males, 5% of all females. (US by comparison - 24% of males and 18% of females.) Next target for tobacco marketing overseas? Do I need to give you that answer?
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| Guest Blog | Michael Fleming, MD | February 03, 2008 | | The politics of rhetoric |  Over the past few months as campaigns have saturated the media, it’s occurred to me that the rhetoric of politics – whether from the halls of Congress or from candidates from whatever hue or political persuasion -- has taken on a new tone. There’s a pervasive sense of assigning blame for everything that happens to us; and empty promises to punish the blamed, and fix whatever has wronged us. It’s made me think… Last fall we attended a benefit concert for the local free clinics here in Hendersonville, our getaway place in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. We were entertained by a Swiss group, The Kruger Brothers, who now call the mountains of North Carolina home. One of the songs they performed -- an old gospel number -- keeps coming back into my head as I listen to this empty rhetoric. The title: “Ain’t Nobody’s Fault but Mine.” What a crazy idea? But, in fact, most things that happen, to quote the line from The Kruger Brothers’ song, “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.” If I were to continue to smoke, to ignore the evidence that is now accepted by the world of medicine that tobacco kills, and should I then develop lung cancer or have a heart attack, “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.” If I am unfortunate enough to spill hot coffee in my lap and I am burned because the coffee was….well, hot!... “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine!” If I were to be dumb enough to drink until I slobber, and then get into my car to drive, and have an accident that causes much pain and suffering, “Aint’t nobody’s fault but mine!” If I was so greedy that I signed for a mortgage that was much, much bigger than I could afford, and now it’s time to “pay the piper,” “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.” And if I am numb enough to listen to the rhetoric of blame and promises to fix all that ails us….well, “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine!” Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear someone in that arena say, “Folks, the only way things are going to change is if we take personal responsibility for making them change. I can only take responsibility for me and mine. You have to stand up and take responsibility for yours. Because whatever you may do that is good, you earned it. And whatever befalls you that is bad, you probably earned that as well. And I can’t fix it for you, but I can do what’s right!” Probably never happen. Oh, well….ain’t nobody’s fault but mine! (Michael Fleming, MD, is a family physician from Shreveport, LA and former president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He can be reached at michael.fleming@antidotecme.com. Opinions expressed by Health Commentary guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the views of Health Commentary.) | | |
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|  It's a major problem today. A lot of people who get sick are unable to afford health care."  Hard for the insured, too  Keep health care private!  Work to stay healthy  Testing is important  Please keep it affordable  Everybody deserves a chance  | Dr. Tom Linden's Health Blog | | |  'Mountains Beyond Mountains' Nurses and Doctors Together for the Good of the Patients Ain’t Nobody’s Fault But Mine Maternal Depression: You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover The State of Employer-Sponsored Coverage The Physician as Grim Reaper – The Ultimate Oxymoron Yearning for Universal Coverage Is Not Universal Spending More But Getting Less Prevention Through Affordable Access Probiotics: Hope or Hype? |
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