When It Comes to Policymaking...

There is no question that direct medical services provided by hospitals and physicians are vital for the health care system- let's face it without it people would die. But I think a lot can be learned from professor Gostin's quote. The the U.S. Health Care System puts a tremendous strain on direct medical services. There does not really seem to be a fair "sharing of common burdens". Rather it seems that a disproportionate amount of power is given to direct medical services (95% direct medical services to 5% prevention). This certainly is not the best approach. I think for a long time, medicine has encompassed the process of providing medical services to those in need. Effectively, this system has given rise to on the spot treatment services for those who have no other choice. Moreover, our nation's hospitals and clinics are filled with people who have lived unhealthy lifestyles for all their lives and have been aloof to health education altogether. There certainly needs to be a massive addition of health education into society. But it is not enough to simply educate the public about pap smears and immunization- they must be mobilized to take action and encouraged along the way.

I think its really important to understand that preventative medicine does not simply mean immunizations and pap smears; eating healthy, making more conscientious decisions about one's body, and exercising are all excellent ways to effectively prevent the onset of future health issues. Even instilling health promotion campaigns which incorporate these rudimentary elements would go a long way in preventing numerous illnesses.