The Paradox of Prosperity and Decline in Health | #THINKINGHUES
Why global health is declining in an age of unprecedented abundance.
Why, despite living in an era of unprecedented abundance, are we experiencing a significant and ongoing decline in health? While we trust our bodies to heal from a minor cut, why can’t the same principle apply to our overall health?
Despite generations of evolution optimising our bodies for survival, chronic diseases are more prevalent in our species than ever. If we, then, consider disease as the body malfunctioning or attacking itself, it seems that evolution is failing us. But why?
What conditions have we cultivated that foster our own demise? The epidemic of chronic diseases, mental illness, and the decline of overall health is a trend to worry about.
But, the answer to these questions extends beyond the realm of health. Focusing on healthcare, fitness, wellness, and similar areas offers too narrow a perspective, as the root of such systemic issues lies in a broader examination of humanity— a reflection on where we are in human history, in terms of globalisation, and the ideologies we’ve embraced.
Much of today’s world operates on legacy systems shaped by post-Cold War and industrialisation values, where trade, commerce, and globalisation thrived on the backbone of centuries of colonial abundance.
Developed nations, which dominate global politics and international relations, have created systems that prioritise profits and industrial output. (For a quick overview of this history, see “Coal, Steam, and the Industrial Revolution” & “Globalisation” on Khan Academy.)
One example of this economic focus is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures a nation’s success by the monetary value of final goods and services produced within its borders. Essentially, a country’s success is measured by its annual output of goods and services— and participation in such metrics are widespread.
Let me also iterate that I’m not an economist, nor will I pretend to grasp the complexities of such fields, so I’ll keep this discussion brief. But, at its most basic, the essential takeaway that I want to highlight is how these systems prioritise profit margins and production efficiency above all else. Do you know what kind of world such values creates?
