According to this study on life expectancy the U.S. declined 2 years in a row while the rest of the world for the most part rebounded. That is a concern because employers want healthy workers and we as a nation want a healthy population. As I read the article I kept thinking it is not a singular cause but one of lifestyle, food quality, neighborhoods and other issues. I suppose, one could potentially be impacted by many factors which would be an indication we need to rethink how we are doing this.
One advantage of big data is that we will better understand how our environment impacts our lives and how improving on that environment can improve the health of the total system. Healthy citizens, good neighborhoods, systems with integrity, community engagement, and lots of other factors that ensure we are developing together. One might even be able to throw our political and social environment in as a contributing factor to good or poor health.
Environmental enhancements might be one way but so are education and employer programs. More push for preventative medicine and good health. I have a fitness trainer license (which I don't really use in that capacity) and have found that total health is rounded and integrated throughout the day. Nothing wrong with short walks, floor exercise, food, neighborhood redesign, etc. We just need to be more mindful and aware.
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