HEALTH is a regular topic on the minds of Americans. Obesity, heart health, cancer and so forth are big issues both in terms of the coverage they receive and the amount of money that is spend addressing them. Since President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, health care has become an even larger topic in the media.
Given that the United States spent about $2.5 trillion on health care in 2009, it is not surprising to see countless media sources reporting ways in which one can shed a few pounds, quit smoking and live healthier in general. Much of this attention, however, focuses on what comes after an illness or complication and how to fix it now. Rather than concentrating solely on what to do after someone is aware of a particular health complication, the U.S. media, especially television, should place more emphasis on promoting healthy decision making when it comes to one's lifestyle.
Factors such as smoking, obesity, heavy drinking and having many sexual partners can increase the risks for certain health complications such as emphysema, heart attack or stroke, liver damage and sexually transmitted infections. Yet these behaviors and characteristics often are displayed through various forms of media, particularly television, films and music, as having little to no health consequences. In addition to the influence that mass media has had on the rise in risky behaviors, the invention of modern technology makes physical activity less necessary, contributing to high obesity levels in youth.
Instead of only targeting obese teens and young adults who face an increased risk of having a heart attack or being diagnosed with diabetes, media should encourage youth to develop healthy habits with regard to food and outside exercise in the form of common games. Also, there needs to be more of a focus put on helping new parents figure out how to responsibly raise their children. If one takes action before the problem of obesity shows up, one could set his child on the path for a life of good decision making when it comes to health.
This method could be applied similarly with regard to smoking, drinking and sexual activity, but it has limits. Because U.S. media often displays certain behavior of which parents and guardians generally do not approve, the parental "don't do these things" approach is sometimes rendered ineffective. If media makes these certain behaviors desirable to youth, who often stop listening to the advice of parents once the adolescence period is reached, then media is having a negative influence on the decision making of youth who do not realize the negative consequences their actions may have.
If more of the mass media were to place additional emphasis on healthy decision making, then fewer people may be influenced to take up some unhealthy habits. This would decrease the likelihood that they would develop certain health complications in the future. For example, if the media were to show the consequences of heavy drinking or hooking up often with different sexual partners, then perhaps fewer people would be inclined to participate in such activities as youth. In addition, if the media were to show more individuals making decisions for the sake of better health, this could influence more individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles.
This is not to say that those who makes healthier decisions in their youth will be immune from health complications in their future, nor that everyone who participates in risky activities necessarily will develop complications. Rather, what should be emphasized is an appropriate level of responsibility when it comes to undertaking one's approach to living life.
By altering the messages conveyed by mass media to promote healthy decision making by youth, the United States could decrease the amount of money spent on health care. When it comes to health, it is always best to practice safe behaviors now to provide for improved health tomorrow.
Bradlee Palmquist is a Viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily.
Read More
CARTER: U.Va. Health owes clarity to transplant patients
By Nathaniel Carter | 3 days agoUnfortunately, this negative press is fully the fault of U.Va. Health — it failed to address significant stakeholder concerns when crafting its justification.
EDITORIAL: Upholding medical amnesty is a collective effort
By Editorial Board | 3 days agoUniversity leadership, Greek life organizations and students themselves must recommit to the safety provided by an effective and knowledgeable use of medical amnesty.
KURTZWEIL: Dockworkers’ unions cannot avoid the threat of automation
By Paul Kurtzweil | 5 days agoInstead of continuing to demand decreased automation, the union should work with the legislature in the hopes of driving investment into the reorganization of the current workforce.
