Fear — America’s Healthcare System Marketing Strategy
Fear is a large part of the American healthcare system. You’re considered a non-compliant patient if you haven’t had your labs or tests done in a timely manner. But does all this testing really lead us to optimum health? For the most part, I think not. Rather, it gives way to overtesting and overdiagnosis. It’s actually not a benefit to have “great insurance coverage” because that means you’re facing a gamut of testing so bills can be charged. I have heard countless times in the clinic that an additional test should be ordered “just in case.”
Take the annual physical exam, for example. Many believe this annual rite of passage is needed to live a healthy life. The fact of the matter is they do not lead to better health outcomes yet a majority of physicians still recommend them. A typical physician today is looking for illness that can be paired with a medication to “solve” the problem. The problem is these medications make people feel like utter crap. How do I know? I talk to these people everyday I work at the clinic and many of them don’t feel well. The healthcare system is taking healthy people and making them into sick patients.
On the flip side of the coin, physicians are often giving in to patient’s demands and that’s the easy way out. Is it easier to swallow a pill or make lifestyle changes? People, we need to take ownership of our health! The physicians I have worked with are well meaning but unfortunately their medical training was focused on surgical and pharmaceutical “solutions.” Only a few hours or a single course in medical school training is dedicated to nutrition and preventative health. Thankfully, the Physicians Committee and the Plantrician Project are doing something about this. They have a wonderful physician resource pages and are working to get nutritional training into medical schools. If you’re looking for a physician who is supportive of moving more towards a plant-based diet and helping you wean off medications, please check out Plant Based Docs. You can also contact me if you’re interested in health coaching where we’ll explore topics such as the health benefits of a plant-based eating, reading food labels, optimal protein sources, the key to satiety, emotional aspects of eating and meal planning.
With anything meaningful in life, we have to put in the effort. If you apply this to anything such as school, a career, or raising children, this principle holds true. But why do we expect health without putting any work into it? You have to invest your time somewhere and I’d rather have you in the kitchen than the hospital.
Jennifer Nemeth is an RN & nutritionist who desires nothing more than to guide you to better health. After spending several years in our disease-care system, she came to realize Americans are becoming sicker and sicker while trying to be “healed” through medications and surgical procedures. These cover ups only address the symptoms and not the root cause of chronic disease. If you’re interested in online or in-person health coaching, please visit Veg-Appeal and follow her deliciousness on Instagram or Facebook.
