Nobody plans on getting buzzed in the UBS forum. It's just not the location for that kind of thing. However, last night I attended a policy and a pint event at MPR. My first notion was that Minnesota is the best place on earth. No way around it. We say, "we're smart, but we want a beer too."
I took a few notes from this event that I'd like to discuss and give a few of my opinions. First, the notes!
- Minnesota is awesome --> 2 beers
- Thomas Goetz from Wired, speaking about How technology can revamp health care
- Everyone in unison sets down beers to clap
- Mr. Goetz suggests a drinking game: Everytime he says "health", you drink
- PROBLEM: Cascade of ill health
- Americans are generally passive agents to ill health (3% follow basic health rules: don't smoke, eat some veggies, exercise)
- 75% of health costs go to diseases that are preventable in some manner (diseases that are direct results of lifestyle choices)
- IDEA: Studies (three that I won't mention) correlate to show that people who feel "in control" and people receiving feedback are more likely to make better health choices
- Self monitoring, control, Hawthorne effect = people taking control
- Technology can help people self monitor = date creates relevance, but means more when it's our data
- More engagement= better health
- FINAL: Decisions count --> every single one has some ramification on your health
Now, I can't really comment on a large scale, but I can talk about my own life and a few things I found particularly striking. First, the point that every decision we make counts, even the little ones. I feel that this point is a great reason for everyone to continue trying to self improve. It was almost a decade ago that I started exercising regularly (not for health reasons mind you, but that's another story). I started my venture into vegetarianism over a year ago. This past summer I biked or walked to almost every destination. While I don't stick to any of these decisions every day, I can't help but connect this point to those decisions. I can't see the benefit of these choices the day I make them, but undoubtedly I'm changing my life for the better with those lifestyle choices.
Another point of his was that we live long, robust lives and we have the opportunity to change our habits. I think we are quick to dismiss any positive change in our lives as out of reach. "I've been like this for years and I can't change now." That's stupid. We live LONG lives. We can take advantage of that.
The event cost 5$. What a sweet deal. I have to go to work now.
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