The Health Jerk
Part One: introduction
Hey there. If you are expecting a nice quiet feel good chat on your health and well being, then as Bill Cosby's mother would say: 'You've got another think coming.' Hang on, this might be a rough ride.
You are concerned about your health and wellness. And you all want to lose something. You want to- lose some weight
- lose that pain in your back
- lose that chronic disease that is eating up your insides
- lose that need to inject insulin twice a day
- lose all the BS that I will group together as chronic diseases and the associated aches and pains.
Problem is, nothing you do, nothing you take, seems to be solving your
health problems. You can't seem to lose – you fill in the
blank. There are lots of people, companies and government
departments that profess to be concerned about your health and well
being. Let's look at whose job it is to make you a loser, a loser
of whatever health issue is your current concern...
Have a look at this abbreviated list:
1.Medical Practitioners- 1.Your family doctor
- 2.Specialists to whom you are referred by your family doctor
- 3.Alternative medical practitioners
- 1.Chiropractors
- 2.Acupuncturists
- 3.Message Therapists
- 4.and many, many more
- 1.FDA – Food and Drug Administration – responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, biological medical products, ..., cosmetics etc. from the viewpoint of consumer safety. Part of the FDA approval process requires that the sponsor of the drug prove clinical efficacy of the drug.
- 2.FTC – Federal Trade Commission – responsible for regulating consumer advertising and marketing, financial products and practices, telemarketing fraud, privacy and identity protection, etc. Also involved in anti-trust issues to ensure fair competition.
- 3.FCC – Federal Communication Commission – responsible for consumer protection including product liability, privacy rights, unfair business practices, fraud, misrepresentation etc.
- 4.USDA – U.S. Department of Agriculture – responsible for food safety, nutrition education, etc.
- 5.Medicare – Federal government health insurance program for people aged 65 or older.
- 6.Medicaid – State managed health insurance program for people with limited income.
4.Private Health Insurance Companies
5.Pharmaceutical companies
6.Diet Supplement and Nutritional supplement suppliers
7.And many many more in narrow categories or areas of expertise.
That's a lot of companies, a lot of people worrying about solving your health problems. It's a wonder anyone is still sick. In fact with trillions of dollars of the Gross National Product being applied to the Health and Well Being of the population, I am past wondering, I am truly amazed. Are you certain you people are really sick?
Well just in case a few of you are truly sick, the Health Jerk will evaluate the existing Health system; tell you what to watch out for; and make some recommendations. Part One was very tame. Like Radar from M.A.S.H. would say, wait for it. The FDA and the LD50 Test are next.
Later sheep.