Poor health leading to bankruptcy
This is the kind of message that has to be spread over and over again.
We’re on the way, in Delaware and in the U.S., to unhealthying our way into bankruptcy. Yes, that’s an awkward way of stating the problem, but nowhere near as awkward as unhealthy lifestyles and bankruptcy.
A major part of Delaware’s annual budget, more than $700 million annually, goes to fund Delaware’s share of the federal/state Medicaid program for lower-income individuals. That’s almost one third of our state’s budget. For those more able to pay for their healthcare, insurance costs climb every year because of the money spent to treat all kinds of illnesses.
This also translates into pressure on our state budget because of the healthcare benefits provided to state employees.
The most important aspect of all of this is the fact that by far the greatest majority of healthcare treatment costs go toward preventable diseases related to lifestyle choices.
Smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, poor diets, sedentary lifestyles that lead to diabetes - all of these contribute to a huge cost to our state and federal governments. A phrase in the health world that continues to gain traction is “sitting is the new smoking.” It refers to the fact that all of our sitting around - watching TV, playing computer games - is having direct and serious health consequences.
We can’t just tell people that they should eat healthier and they should go outside more and be more active. We as a society have to make healthier food more readily available, especially at our fast food outlets where so many of us eat a majority of our meals.
We have to provide safe and healthy opportunities for people to get outside and be active. And the message encouraging people to get outside and eat healthier must be relentless.
Delaware will soon be rolling out a fitness challenge for all of us. It will allow us to aid the effort while getting healthier ourselves.
To get a jump start, go to plus3network.com, sign up and go to the Sussex Outdoors field to become part of a movement for which movement is the key.
