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The silver lining of the COVID-19 infectious disease pandemic may be that it provided the spark that ignited the end of the chronic disease plague and ushered in an era of wellness and health promotion.
A code blue is a medical emergency. It means a patient is dying and that we must rush to the bedside to revive them. As a physician, I know it well. It is a rush of urgency and desperation that healthcare professionals experience as they act swiftly to save a life.
When the time came for naming our documentary,
Code Blue
was the title that best fit what I hoped to convey to the public. I wanted
the name of the film to reflect the emergent matter before us, evoking a gut
response to react—not next year or tomorrow, but immediately. Our healthcare
system is failing us, and it has been for some time now. Most recent
statistics show an increase in seven of the top 10 leading causes of death,
including heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and
suicide.[1] The obesity rate in the United States is now a shocking 42.4%,
which is sobering considering no state in the commonwealth reported an
obesity rate above 15% just 30 years ago.[2][3] What will it take to finally
say enough is enough?
If we know that the most important factor leading to premature death is poor
nutrition, then how is it that doctors learn little to nothing about
nutrition during their training?
When we embarked on the film project in 2015, the primary initiative was to
shed light on the overwhelming body of evidence that supports the importance
of diet and lifestyle on the formation of chronic disease. We had no idea
its release would be hampered by an acute novel infectious disease. Over the
past several months, we have suffered a global period of mourning as our
lives have been turned upside down and we have witnessed the loss of so many
loved ones. In the midst of this pandemic, Code Blue was released on May 26,
2020, to a community universally in pain. COVID-19 would lead to the
cancellation of our theatrical releases in Los Angeles, New York, and
Pennsylvania, as well as scratch our plans for a film tour.
As an infectious disease specialist who trained in pandemic preparedness, admittedly even I was caught off guard. This virus, for which we still have many unanswered questions, remains elusive and has not only managed to take countless lives but has also irrevocably changed societal norms. The development of a safe and effective vaccine is yet to be realized. Trials for therapeutics are ongoing, some cautiously optimistic, but it will still be some time before they are readily available to the general public. How does the COVID-19 pandemic relate to the chronic disease epidemic and Code Blue? It is, indeed, alarmingly relative. The virus has placed an unexpected and startling spotlight on the chronic disease epidemic.
On June 15, the CDC
published findings on those affected by COVID-19 in the United States from
January to the end of May 2020. Data revealed approximately 1.8 million
cases and more than 100,000 deaths during this period. Chillingly, those
living with a chronic disease were six times more likely to be hospitalized
and twelve times more likely to die. The pandemic has further deeply
affected our most vulnerable minority communities, with 33% of cases
occurring in Hispanics and 22% in Blacks.[4]
We are a society drowning in chronic disease, and so in turn, we are
ill-equipped to battle this novel contagion that is most affecting that very
subset of the population. The fact that 50% of Americans are living with at
least one chronic disease is in large part due to the failures of our
current-day healthcare system, which places little to no emphasis on the
value of prevention and health promotion.[5]Instead, our misguided approach
is fully vested in treating those who are already stricken by disease with
pills and procedures.
If we know that the most important factor leading to premature death is poor
nutrition, then how is it that doctors learn little to nothing about
nutrition during their training?[6][7] Despite all the scientific evidence,
we still miss the golden opportunity to teach the most powerful intervention
known to mankind to those who dispense the care. It is a national tragedy.
Today we have the knowledge and understanding to prevent nearly 80% of
chronic disease, yet we fail to act to disseminate this life-saving
message.[8] In my estimation, this borders on immoral. The true purpose of
this writing, though, is to share the joy of this newly released film in
hopes it will resonate with all who watch it, and to inspire them to share
it with others.
The personal appeal of making a documentary is that this would be a medium
by which we could bring awareness to an issue of concern to a large audience
and potentially catalyze a movement that demands better of our healthcare
system, academic institutions, hospitals, and clinics.
It is my hope that Code Blue will awaken something within physicians,
healthcare professionals, and communities far and wide to act now. Together
we can create a better future for those who follow us. Ironically, the
silver lining of the COVID-19 infectious disease pandemic may be that it
provided the spark that ignited the end of the chronic disease plague and
ushered in an era of wellness and health promotion. In order to achieve this
momentous milestone, I know it will take much from many. Code Blue is my
humble contribution to this vital effort.
References
Return to Food Hazards in Animal Flesh and By-products
Read more at Vegan Health Articles
Read more at COVID-19/Coronavirus Articles Directory
We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.