Effective Health Care is not a Spectator Sport!

by Ron Tanguay, past-President

A heart bypass operation costs our medical system from $25,000 to $50,000. The patient is at considerable risk. Those closest to the patient suffer considerable trauma in the process. Incredibly, with education and attitude changes, the frequency of such procedures could be dramatically reduced. But first, we have to get through to our doctors, our political leaders and ourselves.

It is well documented that a diet high in animal products is high in saturated fat - the major cause of conditions which require costly bypass operations to fix. Following such operations, patients are likely to repeat the process unless they change to a healthier lifestyle. If it makes sense to adopt healthier diets and lifestyles to prevent a recurrence, it makes more sense to do so before problems arise. Prevention of health problems saves dollars - and makes sense!

One of North America's largest medical insurers, Mutual of Omaha, has opted to put its heart bypass clients on a well-researched and clinically proven program developed by Dr. Dean Ornish. On this regimen, heart patients follow a very low-fat, vegan diet, along with moderate exercise and stress management. Contrast $50,000 (U.S.) bypass surgery with this non-invasive program which costs $3,500. Under Ornish, 82% of participants reversed their heart disease without any expensive drugs or surgery! The program is so effective that Mutual of Omaha reduces the premiums for those who follow it. There's a lesson here!

Heart conditions and their costly surgical repairs are just one example of attitude, habit and lifestyle-preventable problems. No matter how sophisticated the drugs or surgical technique, a patient with respiratory problems cannot really expect to recover if he or she won't stop smoking. Similarly, miracle tranquilizers frequently prescribed for stress or other psychological problems won't "cure" a patient. Such magic bullets of modern medicine may cover up the problem and make the patient feel better, but only for a while. For most of us, real cures require more than drug cover-ups or surgical bypasses.

Effective health care is not a spectator sport! Reduced health care costs require healthier lifestyles and diets. As patients, we must get involved. By adopting healthier lifestyles and diets, we play an active role in achieving and maintaining good health. Without the patient's active involvement, the costly quick fix provided by drugs or surgery is likely to be of only temporary benefit.

I would say that most health care professionals in Canada today would describe out system as "rescue-oriented." From doctor to doctor and hospital to hospital, a discouragingly-high percentage of patients are repeaters. Too many of these consumers of health care services enter the system, are "fixed" by drugs or surgery, only to return to habits and lifestyles that virtually guarantee that they'll be back - with the same or related conditions.

The single most effective means of reducing our health care costs in the long term is nothing less than a total re-orientation of the system - from rescue to prevention! If it makes sense to stop smoking or to reduce animal fat intake after an operation, then how much more sense does it make to do so before the costly operation is required? This is the message our political leaders, our doctors - and we as health care consumers - must learn.

If we as individuals want to improve our health and reduce the costs of maintaining it, each of us much change. Modern technology and drug, meat and dairy interests have shaped today's system. Under it, too many of us have been lulled into dependent complacency. We routinely look to drugs and surgical solutions. Most people who continue smoking or consuming fat-rich meats, animal products and fast foods will require a costly rescue from the system. And the system and its costs are out of control. Governments alone won't solve the problem - the process of change must begin within ourselves.

If our governments seriously want to reduce the spiraling costs of our health care system - and improve its effectiveness in the process - they must change the system so that it directs the bulk of its resources to deal with causes rather than symptoms. A system dealing effectively with causes will recognize and support the roles of disciplines that seek to prevent, not merely to rescue. This means nothing less than appropriate recognition and support of naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists and others. In contrast to the rescue orientation of western orthodox medicine, these professions give equal or greater attention to prevention and to involving the patient in seeking to remove the cause rather than cover up the symptom!

Governments must also avoid backward steps like Alberta's failure to endorse its Vegetarian Month. Blocking this low-cost measure in deference to the interests of Alberta's beef and pork industries adds to the guarantee that Albertans will continue with a medical system designed to rescue rather than prevent - and one that will cost far more than necessary! Worse yet, Alberta's orientation will encourage diets that add to the problem. Similarly, a recent reduction of federal taxes on tobacco products will ensure that the enormous costs and suffering from smoking-related illness will continue to escalate.

Until we and our governments learn the value of prevention, much avoidable risk, cost, and pain of rescue will continue. In our own best interests as health-care consumers, we have an active role to play. Effective health care is not a spectator sport!

Editor's Note:

As this article was being finished, the writer learned from North American network news media that Dave Thomas was rushed to hospital for emergency heart bypass surgery, suffering from serious, life-threatening blocked arteries. Mr. Thomas is the founder and much-publicized CEO and promotional spokesperson for the Wendy's hamburger chain. We extend our wishes to Mr. Thomas for a speedy and full recovery and repeat EarthSave's standing offer to Wendy's and to all fast food organizations of expert assistance in the creation of healthful, nutritious food alternatives to their existing product lines.