Q; It seems to me more people are sicker than ever. Every winter more of my friends and family around the country are worse off health wise than the year before. Why is everyone getting so ill, even with all our advanced technologies?

A; You are not imagining that the nation is getting sicker. We are getting very ill as a nation in general. A recent public survey conducted by the United Health Foundation, measuring health indicators, found a 3% decline in "relative healthiness of the American population." It is the largest drop in the nation’s overall health in the 12-year history of the report. The report blames the rise on increases in cigarette smoking, a drop in high school graduations and an increase in premature deaths.

Observing friends, neighbors and family you can see health changes worsen due to poor personal habits and hygiene. Over eating and obesity are abundant especially in school children. Decreased exercise and minimal gym requirements in schools have allowed children to avoid even minimal activity. Combine over eating with under activity and you have an equation that equals health disaster. As bad as this poor health model is for children it is even more devastating for adults. Increased television and computer time diminish activity time. Excessive sitting hampers the spinal functions and interferes with healthy nerve function.

The study indicated that the states with the lowest health scores included: Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, West Virginia and Florida. Those with the highest: Minnesota, New Hampshire, Utah, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Americans need to get off their butts and start being responsible for their own health. Stop being dependent on drugs, vitamins, doctors, health gurus and gadgets. Health comes from above down inside out. So, tell your friends and family to go out for a walk and don’t forget to smell the roses.

Quote of the week; You bring the beauty to the rose. B.J.Palmer