Great points Dr. Elia. I think it's commentaries like this that are critical so that we can understand we are talking about two separate issues. Some of the misuse of the term may be intentional, but most of the time it comes from failure to think and question things before we speak. This is a clear example of how powerful our language/word choices can be in our actions and outcomes. As mentioned, I would inwardly cringe when I'd hear politicians and physicians hammer home more screenings and more tests and more medication as 'prevention'. But it still took all this time (and Dr. Lewis' excellent post) for me to finally clarify what was specifically wrong with the picture. As with all this stuff, it's important to keep the dialogue alive so that we can intelligently push back and inspire change.

Brad Lewis nails a critical point about health and health care that has been bugging me for a long time but I have been unable to put into words. Too many policy and healthcare decision makers mean 'screenings' when they are using the word 'prevention'--screening for existing disease (mammograms, PSA tests, etc). While screening has its place, it sends the wrong message to lump such tests under the concept of prevention. By speaking of it in this way, it convolutes insurance coverage, doctor focus, program funding and patient attitudes. To Brad's point, this perspective sets us up for more tests, procedures, and medications....more intervention, less prevention.

Nice job on the exclamation points Hyla. (smile)

It would be super fun for publicists or other PR professionals to weigh in and share their thoughts or words of wisdom as a comment.

Hi Dan, I'm typing this on the fly because I am in the studio today. I'll respond with more later, but just wanted let you know that I did not feel YOU sounded smug or arrogant. You were just articulating your case. For me, it was the tone of the video that did not sit well. So maybe for some people, it's your endorsement that this video is 'right on the ball' that generates the spill over effects to all of your comments. Overall, this is an important discussion and one I am grateful we are having. There are important points on both sides. But I think Dr. Ayala did a nice job further clarifying my own thoughts. Do you agree that taxes should be used for roads? For other infrastructure? For schools? There are some things that I am HAPPY to pay taxes for because it just makes good sense to have roads that I can drive on, educated people that I am much less likely to have to support down the line, and healthy people whose costs I will be less likely to absorb through the craziness of the current system. Despite this conversation, my goal and my work is to stay focused on informing and inspiring people to live HEALTHIER. For the most part, you and I are on the same team. Let's not forget that in the midst of the politics of the day.

Hey Everyone, Kathleen here. I think we might see the conversation heat up around Dan Overlander’s post. (Even my staff had concerns that this entry was in SOME ways opposite what we have advocated in terms of healthcare reform.) So for the record, here’s my personal take: I couldn’t agree more that healthcare reform will not make you healthier. Only YOU can do that. In fact, this is the topic of my monologue that will air this weekend. I agree on many levels that traditional western medicine is sick care, it’s not designed to keep us well. And that is frustrating. I also agree that real food—unprocessed, sustainable, and organic is the answer to many of our health woes. I agree that this is money well spent. HOWEVER, although the current healthcare reform bill is far from perfect (very far), I believe it is a step in the right direction. Not all of us know, understand and have access to resources like real food and many people have issues right now that need to be addressed in a way that is not at the mercy of the private insurance industry. (I think healthcare is a ridiculous place for private industry. There are very few places I am for government involvement, but healthcare is one I see as necessary.) But YES, we should push back and question the methods of treatment at each appointment—treatments which are often expensive, ineffective and dangerous. We should demand from our practitioners a more holistic approach or seek out those doctors who treat in this manner. We should demand the removal of conflicts of interest between government entities and private industry...like the conflicts between the FDA and pharma. I will be watching carefully and advocating loudly that more effort and focus be put on prevention, revolutionizing the food industry and getting the lobbyists off of Capitol Hill. I will do everything I can to keep informing. But to assume that the existing system is the most effective environment to make that change happen, is naïve. The existing system is what got us in this mess to begin with. Change had to happen. It’s not perfect, but let’s build on it. I disagree with the post that health insurance (of any kind) should be left to private industry or churches. Although I appreciated some of the information in the video (and advocate many of these same things on my show each week), I did not appreciate the glib nature of the conversation. Again, the assumption is made that everybody knows this information. A condescending tone is rarely inspiring. I am NOT for Mark Neumann for Governor of Wisconsin. So there. Dan, I respectfully agree and disagree with you. And per the gentleman at the end of the video, at the end of the day, each of us needs to make our own choice. We can always choose to invest in a $695 protest. (the fine for not buying insurance) That’s probably much cheaper than the increased costs of ER rooms (which any one of us may need some day, even those who eat well) that will result from the chaos of an existing system that absorbs the costs of the uninsured's’ trips to the ER. Their only existing option for care.

I have to admit that it kills me that PNP hits on Tuesdays because that is also the day I am in the studio recording the show. So while I am able to tweet away, it often takes me until the evening to have a moment to post lengthier comments here. Let me start with this...Peggy Webb, way to take a big bold swing at Pepsi. It's everything their PR department does not want us to consider. Love your play by play analysis. Ovaries of steel.

Peggy, I've had kidney stones. And I love orange juice. And damn if your article wasn't on the money. Funny how the "Florida Department of Citrus" was quick to respond.

Lisa, this is my biggest downfall when it comes to eating. I often find myself in the studio or racing from here to there with nothing healthy on hand, so I end up ravenous and eating something really stupid. I'm finding that eating healthy is very much about thinking ahead and good planning. I would also like to set a better example in this department for my kids. So glad you offered specific suggestions.

Kat, I too suffered insomnia for two years. It was a terrible experience and took a toll my work, my family, and my body. I aged a lot during that period and have only recently regained a little of what I lost. I remember there were nights where I prayed for even a single hour of sleep...and 2-3 hours felt like decadence. We'd love to have you contribute to Prevention not Prescriptions in future weeks. I have done previous shows on sleep and I agree with you, that it is prime preying ground for pharma--expensive, new drugs for which we don't fully understand the short/long term side effects. It's such an easy market because people who don't sleep are desperate. After a lot of tug of war with my doctor and 24 months of little to no sleep and several alternative interventions, I finally agreed to let my physician prescribe an older, well known, non-addicting generic medication to 'reset' my clock. This, of course, after I put him through the ringer about side effects, dosing, etc. It worked as a first step and I felt at peace that I went into the decision well informed. Which is all I advocate and ask of anyone.