Initiating Better Health for Our Patients

Dear Editor (and all members of the chiropractic profession):

Our profession has a great challenge and an opportunity to bring itself to the forefront of public opinion and recognition, by becoming a health and wellness resource for our nation's citizens.

We believe that each one of you is aware of the dire pandemic health crisis our nation is presently faced with. Almost two- thirds of our nation's adults and children are overweight. Over a third of them are considered medically obese, and those numbers are growing. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that one in three adults will have diabetes and one in four of the children born since 2002 will have Type II diabetes by adulthood. Out of 13 Western nations, the U.S. ranks 13th in overweight and obesity. Seventy percent of individuals on yo-yo diets will have shortened their life spans. In fitness, we are doing even worse: The majority of our adults and children are unfit and cannot even pass a basic fitness test. Out of 19 industrialized nations, the U.S. ranks 19th in fitness of adults and children.

The problem has become so severe that some elementary and high schools are sending home weight and fitness report cards to parents of children who do not measure up. In addition to the growing obesity and fitness epidemic, there is a growing asthma epidemic among our youth and young adults as well. Heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides still plague our population, and many other diseases, some new and some reoccurring, are all making headlines daily. There is little doubt the U.S. is in a real health predicament. The good news is that most of these illnesses can be favorably improved or even eliminated by some healthy changes in lifestyle.

The problem has become so great that the president, surgeon general, and U.S. Congress are calling for a Healthier US Initiative for our nation's ailing population in an attempt to improve our health. As a health care profession and as health care providers, we do have a responsibility to join and support this initiative. Even D.D. Palmer set forth over a century ago five principles he believed were essential for what we have chosen to call a healthy chiropractic lifestyle. They consisted of:

1. proper exercise;
2. proper diet;
3. proper rest;
4. stress management; and
5. maintaining normal nerve supply (via regular chiro practic check-ups.)

Interestingly, the four main priority focuses of the HealthierUS Initiative are:

1. Be physically active every day.
2. Eat a nutritious diet.
3. Make healthy choices.
4. Get preventive screening.

They almost fall into line with the five principles of a healthy chiropractic lifestyle. And certainly preventative screening should include a chiropractic check-up!

We are therefore recommending that our profession, national, state and local organizations, colleges and even vendors, if they wish, support the HealthierUS Initiative and promote this campaign to our patients, the public at large and even the schools and other organizations and agencies, if we wish to achieve a healthier America. The government has already published a HealthierUS Initiative campaign model instructing cities on how to implement this concept throughout the nation. We can use it as a template or prototype for initiating and supporting this program. If we all, or at least most of us, join in, we can effect a healthier change in the lifestyles of our nation's citizens and promote the chiropractic profession as responsible health care providers who are interested in the health of our nation, while we spread the healthful benefits of chiropractic.

The possibilities are limitless and no other health care profession has really stepped forth and is doing it at the present. So, this is a great opportunity for chiropractic to step out from the crowd with a "win win" advantage for our nation and chiropractic. Because of the U.S. government's concern and the media's interest, hopefully we can achieve their backing and coverage as well.

This will definitely take a concerted, coordinated effort from the members, organizations and colleges of our profession to work together for the betterment of our profession and our nation's health. Considerable scientific literature on diet, obesity, exercise, fitness, stress management, behavior modification and chiropractic care is already available. We would need to put together specific pamphlets, brochures, news releases, public announcements, speeches and workshop programs, along with advertisements and presentations presenting and offering this valuable information to the media and the public. Is it now time that we all begin to pull together in the same direction for a change, to accomplish something that could help bring some widespread beneficial recognition that's needed by our profession, and help our patients and all the citizens of the U.S. know more about our profession and our willingness to help our nation in the health care crisis we are all faced with. After all, is that not one of the main things we as chiropractors are really interested in?

Richard J. Vahl, DC, PhD, DAAPM
James B. Vahl, BS, CFT, ACE, ACSM (and DC student)
Davenport, Iowa

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