When it comes to health, there’s no free lunch

Col. Kenneth Hall

It’s easy to take for granted that which we enjoy every day. What is firmly in hand one moment can be snatched away the next. And what goes neglected or mistreated will prematurely fail.

Health is a perfect example, especially for a young and robust population such as ours. All too often we consider ourselves invulnerable if not indestructible. In short, some of us are self-abusive with poor health habits. Sometimes it’s to overcome stress; sometimes for recreation; other times it’s the result of social pressures. We know we shouldn’t, but we do unhealthy things anyway.

How many times have you said, “Just let me get through this and I’ll fix it?” Perhaps “it” was smoking or maybe drinking too much, succumbing to junk food cravings, not working out or burning the candle at both ends. We rationalize that it’s only a temporary transgression, that we need “it” to be effective, and will be spared from any adverse effect. That’s faulty logic. Rest assured there is no “free lunch.”

No bones about it, we pay for an unhealthy lifestyle. The costs to our health may be near term, long term or both.

Smokers, for example, are several times more likely to seek medical care and miss twice as much work than non-smokers. Smokers can expect a markedly diminished quality of life due to cardiac and respiratory disease, as well as a 14-year reduction in life expectancy. With all its documented harmful effects, you’d think not smoking would be a no brainer. Yet one in four adult Americans light up, including 34 percent of Cannon’s Airmen, the highest in Air Combat Command. Surely Airmen who smoke must have considered that if invested at seven percent interest their $105 per month habit (a pack a day at $3.50) would yield $18,000 in 10 years; $55,000 in 20 years; and close to $400,000 at age 65. Plus, a nonsmoking lifestyle is the best chance to enjoy life itself.

Poor nutrition costs as well, especially when coupled with inactivity. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, predisposing heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke. By 2025, America’s 21 million diabetics will grow to 50 million as a result of obesity. Sadly, 20 percent of American children between 6 and 19 years old are overweight, with significant physical and mental health ramifications. During our lifetime a third of our children will get diabetes; half will become obese and incur disability. Our military families are not immune.

Equally costly is inadequate rest. Nearly 75 percent of Americans get less than eight hours of sleep per night, exacerbated by overly active, highly stressful lifestyles. Airmen are not exempt. A sleep deficit can result in inattentiveness, impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, mood swings and lack of energy. At the very least, you under-perform. But with lack of sleep also comes an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack and stroke. Sleep debt cannot be recouped, and the plan to “make it up on the weekend” isn’t a good plan at all. It takes ongoing commitment.

Alcohol is all-too-often misused. One quarter of active duty Airmen admit to binge drinking and consume more than five drinks in a single period. Another five percent report consuming more than two drinks daily. Aside from adverse health effects, alcohol misuse leads to poor decision making, as evidenced by roughly half of all motor vehicle accidents, sexual assaults and domestic altercations. Alcohol is a depressant and when misused, typically breeds problems that compound stress.

Here’s the bottom line. There’s a lot at stake when we don’t make smart health risk management decisions. Vulnerabilities include careers, relationships, family well being and our very existence.

Think about all you have, all you desire and all you have to lose. Think about your responsibility to yourself, your family, your wingmen and your mission. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley reminds us, think about “Airman Pride.” Then lead by example and manage your health risks like your life – or someone else’s – depends on it. It does.

For more information on managing health risks, visit the Center for Disease Control home page at http://www.cdc.gov.