Improving The Nation s Health - 2665 Words

Introduction: Improving the nation’s health is a vital task in today s society. Health is â€Å"a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being† (The World Health Organization, 1946). Achieving wellness is one of the most popular goals in the twenty-first century. But first, we all need to realize clearly, what wellness is and why it matters. The key points of the term are that it is a process; it is conscious and self-directed; it includes fulfilling one s potential. It is holistic and, therefore, calls for physical, mental and spiritual well-being (National Wellness Institute, 2014). Wellness matters because everything we do in our lives is linked to our health and welfare. According to the National Wellness Institute, â€Å"Wellness†¦show more content†¦Therefore, schools and universities are the most appropriate places to implement wellness programs, since education is critical for developing healthy behaviors as well as improving the health of people, and he lp them establish life patterns that reflect healthy behaviors. â€Å"There is sound evidence linking healthy food and physical activity with academic accomplishment,† (CDC, 2014). Ensuring good health in students, faculty and staff can improve the overall health of the University of the Sciences’ community: Our students, upon graduating, will be prepared to enter into almost every area of the workforce. It is vital, therefore, to arm our students, our faculty and staff with the tools that will encourage us to live healthier lifestyles and take these habits back into our homes, our workplaces and the wider community. Background/ Health Statement: Several health issues affect us today. While some diseases are being eliminated; others arise. Some habits; such as smoking, alcohol misuse, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity, also continue to plague our societies. According to Center for Disease Control (CDC), almost half of all adults in United States have one or more chronic disease such as cardiac disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis (CDC, 2014). Obesity, which is a main focus of my needs assessment, is a complex disease which