As COVID-19 continues to ravage parts of the world, we are fortunate (particularly in Australia) to have access to health care and health care providers to help guide us through this difficult time. April 22nd 2021 is World Health Day - and it has never been more significant as it is now.
The theme of this year's World Health Day is 'Building a fairer, healthier world' - aiming to raise awareness and close the gap on health care throughout all demographics. The World Health Organisation is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere can realise the right to good health - and here at MyLife, we strongly align with this sentiment.
Although Australia is a first world country with a relatively smaller gap in health care costs, plus universal health care, we are not dismissed from the need to build a collective healthier life. Interestingly enough, a study from the World Health Organisation shows that nine out of ten deaths from COVID-19 have occurred in countries with high obesity levels. This study showed mortality rates were 10 times higher where at least 50% of the population was overweight.
These countries included the US, UK, Belgium and Slovenia; whereas countries including Malaysia and Vietnam were noted as countries with less of the population being overweight, and therefore less COVID-19 deaths exacerbated by obesity. While Australia was not included in this study due to our low COVID-19 mortality rate, we can take from this study the obvious correlation between first world countries and obesity.
As is the case with most respiratory diseases and past epidemics and pandemics, infections are exacerbated by obesity and the subsequent pressure placed on the body when fighting an illness. MERS and H1N1 are more examples of respiratory infections worsened by obesity.
Coming out of COVID, we are all more aware of our own health and wellbeing both physical and mental. So what can we do to ensure the longevity of our health for years to come?
1) Adopting a balanced diet. Whether you are vegan, plant-based, flexitarian or anything in between, adopting a balanced diet and making small changes to set yourself on a healthy path is the best thing you can do for your overall health.
2) Making informed dietary decisions. Educating yourself on which foods work best for your body, and also which foods make less of an impact on our planet. It’s all about small changes to a collective end goal of living healthily and sustainably.
3) Exercise. In periods of lockdown, nothing was more exciting than taking an allocated two hours of exercise outside. As we adjust to the new ‘COVID Normal’, we still need to take the time to look after our bodies. The World Health Organisation recommends 60 minutes a day for children and 150 minutes spread throughout the week for adults.
MyLife is committed to helping our customers live a happier and healthier life. We are proud to support the World Health Organisation in its mission to build a better, healthier future for people all over the world.
References:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2021
https://www.ft.com/link-between-obesity-and-covid-deaths