It has been clearly communicated to us that in addition to being elderly, all people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of contracting and having complications from the Coronavirus. If we look at those underlying health conditions, we see that they are mainly lifestyle diseases,
Type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and obesity are all chronic conditions which are risk factors for Covid-19, and they are also all directly correlated to lifestyle. There are many factors that make up your lifestyle, including what you eat and how much exercise you get. There are also more complex socio-economic factors that lead to racial disparities in health outcomes for African Americans and other communities of color, in general as well as what is in stark display during this pandemic.
As a society, we need to implement policies that will provide an equal playing field for all citizens. These include quality healthcare for all, living wages, eliminating “food deserts” where neighborhoods lack access to grocery stores and fresh produce, clean water, clean air and fair access to decent housing that includes outdoor spaces for recreation and exercise.
As individuals, we can each make better choices in what we eat and how we take care of ourselves in order to reduce our risk of disease. The following guidelines offer some suggestions:
While it’s true that no one is immune to Covid-19, it’s also true that how and where you live plays a large role in how this virus affects you and your community. Let’s each do our part to improve the lives of our fellow human beings, including how we take care of ourselves.
At this time of year, when cases of flu and COVID are rising, as well…
The Access to Nutrition Initiative has analyzed around 11,000 products from leading food companies including…
In case you needed any encouragement for enjoying your coffee, a new study published in…
A study published in the BMJ has found a connection between consuming artificial sweeteners and an increased…
Quinoa is an ancient, plant-based seed that has been cultivated in the Andes for 7000…
We all know the importance of cutting back on salt in order to keep our…