Happy Memorial Day.
My friend Fran posted the following quote on Facebook today…
Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one’s courage. — Anais Nin.
Thank you to all those who have served our country, in all ways. While there have been moments of conduct unbecoming, which have been eagerly promoted in the tabloids, by and large, we thrive in part because of the countless moments of quiet heroism across our land.
Not enough can be said to thank our troops. I’ll leave that eloquence to those who know that world better than I.
I want to thank a different army serving our country today — the soon to be “In Memoriam” Food Guide Pyramid.
I want to thank state and federal government officials working in public health — from teachers to health commissioners. Let’s be clear… They don’t do it for the money or the glory. This is a labor of love and their courage literally expands our lives. Imagine your teeth without public health over the past 30 years. Look at the anti-smoking revolution of the past three decades. Look at what’s happening with farm-to-table efforts and the “eat local” movement. It’s remarkable really.
Yesterday I made fun of the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid because of the politics that complicated the retiring icon and the sad reality that a new icon will be plagued by the same. However, delve into the political background and you’ll see that everyone is doing their best. It’s not because people are evil or behave badly (though sometimes this happens). It’s because we all want what’s best for our families, communities and country. To be willing to take on the battle requires grace and stamina.
By the way, the Food Pyramid along with the 5-A-Day fruits and veggies campaigns were funded on less than $2 million. Burger King and its contemporaries spend $26 BILLION a year to get our attention. And yet public health still got through to us. Is there anyone reading this who doesn’t know about the Food Pyramid? A little bit goes a long way. (Read more in the recent NY Times post.)
Meeting everyone’s needs is impossible so, in public health, we seek the greatest good for the greatest number and work to sift out additional services for the outliers. It’s a hefty battle and I salute those who face the bureaucracy, the public wrath, the powerful lobbyists (Monsanto, Beef and Dairy, you know who you are), the tabloids, the health-phobic culture, and the deeply frustrating reality of people’s poor health habits each day.
We can change the world for good and with minimal resources? We could do it faster and better with all of us pulling for healthy choices and a healthy future. (Click here for the New Dietary Guidelines)
Indeed, our children depend on such acts. If we do nothing, today’s children will be the first generation to live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents. Remember, the time is now.