M3.2 Vulnerable Populations

Dr.Rishi Manchanda's TED talk: What makes us get sick? Look Upstream, highlights the need and importance of preventive healthcare. While I was in medical school my Epidemiology professor asked us, “what factor has the greatest impact to an individual’s health?  I thought the answer was genetics and/or nutrition, but I was wrong. The answer was/is the zip code of where an individual resides. 
The issue isn't about Nature vs.Nurture, its that both play an integral part in our health outcomes. Genetics plays a role , but at the end of the day it's a minor role compared to the lifestyle we choose to live. I agree with Dr.Manchanda's statements that we need "that third friend, who will go upstream and connect people to the needed resources" to bridge the gap between preventive medicine and curative medicine. Along with needing that the third friend, we as individuals have to be proactive for our own well being, and become mindful consumers, make healthy decisions for our lives and advocate for our healthy outcomes.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 16, 2018 at 8:37 PM

    I find it interesting that although the importance of preventive health is being introduced in our educational institutions, very little resources are spent on this aspect of care, compared to curative medicine. I agree with you that although genetics and personal decisions, such as our nutrition choices, impact our health, the larger environment surrounding us can help feed into that. I had the opportunity to attend a town hall meeting last week where we were talking about the best ways to use funds that were being generated by the sugary beverage tax that has been implemented in SF. One of the attendees mentioned how the pacific islander community in his neighborhood needed better food outlets for their youth. He mentioned that many pacific islanders moving to the U.S. are used to snacking on items such as taro root or other fruits and vegetables, but because chips and soda are more easily available and accessible in their zip code, they chose to consume these unhealthier untraditional options. Overall, I agree with you that it has more to do than with just genetics and the food we choose to eat.

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  2. snaymallickSeptember 16, 2018 at 9:39 PM

    I think it is very true that zip code and where you reside affects your individual health. Nature v. nuture does play a huge role in how our health is affected. The way we live our lives depends on how long we will sustain our health. For example, if a individual chooses to smoke, they do the damage on their own bodies. So it is up to us and also our life choices as well on how healthy we want to live.

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