The changing landscape of health
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The way we think about physical health and illness has changed in the past 20 years. No longer do we consider health and illness from a purely biological perspective. Today, we have come to realize that our physical well-being depends upon an interplay of biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors. In the developed world it is rare today to die from infectious diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, polio, malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, or diphtheria. While they were common prior to the 20th centuries, improved nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, clean water, coupled with wide-spread immunisation and new medicines, they no longer pose a major threat to us. Instead, chronic diseases have taken their place, such as cancer, cardiovascular illness (primarily heart disease and stroke), mental illness, diabetes and obesity. Many of these illnesses are so called lifestyle diseases. In general, we eat too much of the wrong foods, we exercise too little, and we no longer enjoy the healing effects of social networks that have helped previous generations to cope with daily stressors. We have also come to realize that our genetic make-up can influence the expression and development of modern chronic illnesses. For example, not every smoker will necessarily develop lung cancer. Some exceptional individuals are protected by their genetic make-up. Others, knowing that they have a predisposition to develop certain types of chronic diseases can often influence outcomes by adopting a healthier lifestyle. In fact, we all can tap into the secret for a healthy and fulfilling life. As humans we are not just a consequence of our genes or of our past excesses in food, drink and other harmful behaviours or experiences. We can consciously and actively create a new reality, a better, healthier life. We can avoid becoming ill or, if we are already unwell, improve our health and nurse our body back to a better health. How?
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The information contained on this site is for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for expert medical advice, and does not take your medical history or specific circumstances into consideration. Always seek your doctor's advice if you have a medical or health-related condition. While every effort has been made to ensure that the above information was correct at the time of writing; medical knowledge is constantly being reviewed and updated, and the above information may therefore be superseded by additional knowledge.