In "A Moment of Silence for Dr. Jack LaLanne," published in the Feb. 26, 2011 issue, you were asked to share with patients Jack's incredible life and the power of true health and remind patients that his legacy will undoubtedly influence millions for generations to come.
Our profession can do much more than just remind patients of Jack's life by supporting his Call-to-Activity (www.call-to-activity.com).
The Call-to-Activity video that can be viewed on the site is Jack's passionate and patriotic plea for older adults to answer the call "To Save America's Health." Jack predicted our health care crisis more than 50 years ago. Stay Fit Seniors, www.stayfitseniors.com, is the founding sponsor of this national initiative for all ages to participate in all forms of physical activity.
We all know our country is fighting for its economic life as we face monumental increases in health care costs aggravated by obesity and chronic illness. Systemic reform and governmental policy will never reduce health care dependency. However, physical activity interventions for the inactive and deconditioned will.
You can position yourself as a wellness leader in your community by sharing this message with your patients. The government, insurance carriers, physicians and even mass media all know physical activity is the gateway to wellness. If we regularly discuss physical activity through Jack's message, we will help lead the way as wellness experts. You and your patients can get involved on the Call-to-Activity Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/fl0E25. Have them record their physical activities there on a regular basis and enjoy the discussion.
As chiropractors, there are many things we can do, such as holding a wellness day at the office to discuss physical activity and chiropractic care. Organize a walk in Jack's honor and end up at your office. These are just two of many ways to spread Jack's message in your practice.
We all know exercise helps adjustments hold longer by stabilizing the spine. Dr. LaLanne knew it, too. So why not support the Call-to-Activity, keeping Jack's legacy and will to win alive?
The Call-to-Activity couldn't come at a more needed time; health care costs are crushing the economy and American productivity continues to decline due to poor health and high rates of obesity. Today's health care costs already consume 18 percent of the nation's GDP while the World Health Organization rates U.S. health at 37th among industrialized countries. Not a very good ROI considering most of the countries that are ahead of us spend far less than we do on health care.