The Importance Of Public Health In The United States

While exploring the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health website (www.asph.org), one discovers the definition of public along with three main assertions: public health is personal, global, and its impact is measurable. With regards to creating healthier communities, the modern world generates great threats to living a healthy lifestyle. From tobacco to sedentary lifestyles to eating poorly, people in the world today must challenge themselves to live healthily. Unfortunately, smoking continues to be a tremendous issue globally today. Since there is a significant time delay between smoking and the onset of disease, many people (especially the youth) do not realize the repercussions of smoking. Why do younger people fail to recognize the fatal side effects to their tobacco use? Is it lack of education? Does the education system mandate smoking and tobacco use be addressed in health classes across the country? Do they smoke to look …show more content…
ASPPH states, “The risks for chronic disease – such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease – increase significantly in populations where obesity is prevalent.” Obesity affects nations of all incomes, which highlights the easy access to processed foods and sedentary lifestyles . Fattening foods are often cheaper than natural foods, because mass production of chemically treated, processed food costs less than an organic and natural diet. Because of the cost effectiveness, eating at fast food restaurants requires less money and even less time than to purchase natural ingredients and cook a healthy meal. Additionally, with technology in the modern world, a significant amount of people lives inactive lives. Many jobs require little to no necessary movement throughout the workday, and automobiles reduce the need for activity to actually get somewhere. Though computers and cars are marvelous innovations, they have also led to lifestyle