Grass Roots and Health Foundations
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 5:27PM President Bill Clinton’s Health Matters Conference took place today in La Quinta, California. The conference, sponsored by the Clinton Foundation, was available online, so I watched one of the several panel discussions that took place—“Achieving Lifelong Health & Well-Being.”
A distinguished panel comprised of Jillian Michaels, Billie Jean King, Dr. David Satcher, Richard Gephardt, and Dr. Mark Hyman, and moderated by President Clinton, discussed the need for community-based, one-on-one wellness initiatives. The consensus was clearly in favor of a grassroots approach—an approach that would not only change our population’s health habits, but in turn save our country from an eventual financial meltdown due to the unsustainable costs of health care.
At one point, the President said that the whole system of health care should be geared to keeping people healthy rather than just treating them after they become sick. Without a doubt a good idea and one that has been gaining traction in medical fields for the past couple of years.
The panelists focused on such areas as nutrition and exercise. Ms. King remarked that only 4% of elementary schools, 8% of middle schools, and 2% of high schools still had physical education classes—programs having been cut for financial reasons.
One point that was repeatedly stressed was the need for a cultural change—a cultural reformation—when it comes to health. One that would re-educate people into realizing what health is and how to maintain it.
And it was that last premise—a cultural reformation—that particularly caught my attention. I agree with the panelists that such a change needs to take place—including many of their sensible recommendations about food and exercise.
However, it seems to me that such a change—one that would be lasting—needs to first occur on a much deeper and more fundamental level. A level which brings about a transformation of thought. A transformation that rests squarely on a spiritual foundation in which God is recognized as the ultimate source of our health.
Is this a pie-in-the-sky concept? Not at all. I’ve seen how basing my thinking on that very concept—a concept that Mary Baker Eddy discovered and then elucidated in the system of health care she named Christian Science—has for the past 22 years transformed, revitalized, and regenerated my health and well-being.
Is this something that’s available to anyone regardless of class, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, or race? Most assuredly. Does it begin with each individual recognizing their God-given right to health and a means to employ it? Definitely.
What’s more grassroots than that?
Photo: President William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of the United States: Public Domain.
Reader Comments (9)
Hi Ken, I watched this conference too and really appreciated the direction the panel was going. I think people need to get back to being more self-reliant and proactive in their lives and less dependent on what the current theory of the day is. As you mentioned, a transformation in thought and having a spiritual foundation are paramount in health and individual growth. Having this available at the ‘touch of a thought’ to anyone and at anytime is the best bonus of all!
Amen, Wanda !
I didn't see this program and am glad to hear about it. Yes, self-reliance is vital and can be seen as God-reliance, that is, relying on God, the source of our health (as you say, Ken). I've seen the improvement in my life as I become more God-reliant. Grass grows best when rooted in good soil. As each of us plants ourselves in a more spiritual "soil," I think we'll all experience better health.
The trouble with willing myself to exercise more and eat healthier is that it's just plain too hard. So am I doomed to be fat and miserable? When I've looked at the thoughts I'm thinking rather than my plate of food, I know in my heart that what really "fills me up" is God's love for me, so no need to stuff myself at the table. What gets me up from the couch (potato) is remembering the thrill of feeling the strength God gives me, say when I'm riding my bike. This accomplishes two purposes: health and happiness!
The idea Wanda shared about being less dependent on the current theory of the day really resonated with me, as did the observation that the conference repeatedly brought up about the need for a cultural change. As Ken mentioned both of these can be accomplished by a fundamental change in thought to a higher trust in God.
I hope that we, as a culture, can move toward defining "health" as feeling good and being active and comfortable withOUT drugs. That is a health we can all enjoy that is not affected by changes in human opinion, research, and various healthcare systems .
Thanks Ken, for sharing the Conference info and your insights. We do have so much to be grateful for in Christian Science as it tackles fear and error in thought and helps us see health in a wholely different light.
I am so glad Pres Clinton is starting this iniative. Every time I come back from overseas I am struck by how Americans talk constantly about their illnesses, even for pets A friend took her dog into a vet who said he was perfectly healthy and" "probably just between illnesses" We do need to get over this as a society and as others have said, it begins with a change of mental attitude.
I love your point, Ken. Whatever the change it needs to be lasting and permanent. I too have experienced lasting and wonderful help through Christian Science. It definitely is not pie-in-the-sky thinking. Thanks for bringing this concept even more to the fore! :-)
There's a big difference between "pie-in-the-sky" and grass roots -- down to earth, practical is what's needed. And wouldn't it make sense that God (or whatever you call the spiritual power behind our universe) would provide for that sort of answer for mankind's needs?