Aug 5, 2009 9:31 pm US/Mountain
Dr. Art Jones: Our Health Is Connected
By Dr. Art Jones, Medical Director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
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Our health is connected. The healthy decisions we make can create healthy decisions in those around us. When we get healthier, those close to us tend to get healthier too. For example, your spouse is 67 percent more likely to quit smoking if you do.
We underestimate the influence we have over others when it comes to health – and the potential to help others even as they help themselves. The choices we make each day regarding what we eat, the activities we engage in, the exercises we choose to do, or not do, actually impact our health as well as the health of those people close to us.
If you make better health choices, those around you will too.
Think about throwing a stone into a pond. No matter how small the pebble is, it still creates ripples that can go on and on. It's the same with our health choices. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by setting too lofty a goal -- start small. Grab a bag of apples instead of a bag of chips. Exercise three times a week instead of twice. You'll be amazed by how you can influence those around you. And, then, when you're ready take the next steps: stop smoking; weave in some exercise into every day; plan for annual check-ups with your doctor.
You can give other the gift of better health.
By improving health habits and increasing social ties, you can improve the health habits of those around them. For example, research studies prove that when someone makes the decision to stop smoking, his or her friends and family who are also smokers have higher rates of cessation. This makes perfect sense as smoking is very much a social activity. The same is true of diet and obesity. If a co-worker or a family member is overweight, there is a higher likelihood that someone close to them will be as well. Food is such a shared activity that it only makes sense that we adopt the diet habits of those around us – both good and bad.
You can assess your "health footprint" and determine what kind of health shadow you are casting
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has developed an innovative Health Footprintsm calculator that can help you determine the impact your behaviors have on your health and the health of your social network. Unlike a carbon footprint, which focuses on reduction, the bigger a Health Footprint is the more health influence you have on those around you. It's easy to do – just log on to www.anthem.com/connects and answer a few simple questions.
You can improve your "health footprint" score
There are many different things that you can do to influence your Health Footprint. If you are a smoker, quit smoking. You can also cut back on the amount of alcohol you drink. And small changes like adding healthier snack choices such as fruits or vegetables can make a big difference in your health including lowering your blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart disease or stroke. Lastly, be physically active. Any activity is better than none.
It's important that each of us understand how our decisions impact our own health and the health of the people close to us. When you practice healthy behaviors, you are creating a positive social movement that starts with you and extends to your friends, family and coworkers.
Dr. Art Jones is the Medical Director for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
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