Inclusion and health care
Two events this week, seemingly unrelated, reminded me of the necessity of always thinking in terms of systems. An oft repeated phrase comes to mind “Nothing happens in isolation.” Many wise people have spoken and written about what Paul says in 1st Corinthians “We are many parts but one body.” Likewise we are one planet, universe(s), community, state, nation, association of nations with many parts.
I often remind myself and those for/with whom I work that every action (inaction is also an action) affects the entire universe.
Usually I read the local newspaper on line while eating my breakfast. Reading the local newspaper is one of the means I have for staying connected to the local community. I also get notices on various social media sites and from friends and colleagues which keep me posted on what is happening and what I need to do to fulfill my role as citizen and neighbor. A digital version of the newspaper containing the main stories, obituaries, and editorials has been available for free. This week I discovered I could read the abstracts of the front page articles and the names of those who died as well as the list of editorials including the beginning sentence or two but access to the entire article, obituary, or editorial was limited to those who have a paid subscription at a minimal cost of $20,00 a month for the digital version ($5.99 for the first month). I do, of course, know that print and digital newspapers have been financially struggling for some time. Many people get their news elsewhere and advertise elsewhere. I also understand that unlike public radio which gets some help from government bodies and has donor fund raising drives, newspapers are dependent on selling subscriptions, advertising and notices such as obituaries. I know we live in a capitalist society ; when expenses exceed income something has to change. The owner of the newspaper expects and needs to make a profit. Thus, although I have not budgeted $225.99 to pay for a subscription that is what I must do if I want to use the newspaper to help me function as a member of the community. I could also, in non-pandemic times, read the newspaper at the local public library. I have options even though I would have to make some adjustments to exercise those options. For many, however, an extra $225.99 a year or finding time daily to go to the library is not an option.
I found myself wondering why the owner of this newspaper and his board were making this decision at this time. While I appreciate the fact that advertising revenue might be down and daily newspaper sales might be down during this time of shelter in place, it seems as if the timing is designed to further isolate a certain segment of the population. Of course, I may sound paranoid. It is possible that the systemic effects of the timing of the action were not considered.
The second event which was designed to remind me that none of us exist in isolation was the guest appearance of my friend and colleague, Dr. Marvin Mcgowan on the Pittsburgh television program, The Lynne Hayes-Freeman show. Dr. Mcgowan is a physician at Central Outreach Wellness Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Mcgowan reminded Ms. Hayes-Freeman that there are many social determinants of health. This is true in the time of Covid-19. A large number of factors affects the overall health of an individual and specifically how the immune system of the body functions or does not functions in the presence of temporary and chronic stress (one can google that interview). The social determinants for health include access to health care, the neighborhood in which one lives, economics of the individual, family and community, education and educational systems, access to healthy food, nicotine and other drug use, health of relationships, structural racism, discrimination, sexual orientation, gerrymandering, access to gyms and a host of other factors. All these and more factors either add to or decrease the stress on individual, family and community systems. This accumulated stress affects both the messages sent out to the immune system and the rest of the body and the corresponding messages sent back to the brain which in turn affects the messages sent to the rest of the body by the immune system. Obviously well-functioning immune systems are necessary to fight Covid-19 and other pathogens.
Some of the most thorough studies of the effects of chronic stress have been done on those living or serving in combat areas. The studies demonstrate how the various organs and all parts of the body very predictably and systematically break down as a result of chronic stress until eventually the entire system breaks down.
Our body is a system. Our family is a system. Our community is a system. Our state is a system. Our nation is a system. Our planet is a system. Our universe(s) is/are a system. Health care exists as part of a system. All systems are interactional. This is basic math; basic science; basic morality. “Nothing happens in isolation.”
Written April 22, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Two events this week, seemingly unrelated, reminded me of the necessity of always thinking in terms of systems. An oft repeated phrase comes to mind “Nothing happens in isolation.” Many wise people have spoken and written about what Paul says in 1st Corinthians “We are many parts but one body.” Likewise we are one planet, universe(s), community, state, nation, association of nations with many parts.
I often remind myself and those for/with whom I work that every action (inaction is also an action) affects the entire universe.
Usually I read the local newspaper on line while eating my breakfast. Reading the local newspaper is one of the means I have for staying connected to the local community. I also get notices on various social media sites and from friends and colleagues which keep me posted on what is happening and what I need to do to fulfill my role as citizen and neighbor. A digital version of the newspaper containing the main stories, obituaries, and editorials has been available for free. This week I discovered I could read the abstracts of the front page articles and the names of those who died as well as the list of editorials including the beginning sentence or two but access to the entire article, obituary, or editorial was limited to those who have a paid subscription at a minimal cost of $20,00 a month for the digital version ($5.99 for the first month). I do, of course, know that print and digital newspapers have been financially struggling for some time. Many people get their news elsewhere and advertise elsewhere. I also understand that unlike public radio which gets some help from government bodies and has donor fund raising drives, newspapers are dependent on selling subscriptions, advertising and notices such as obituaries. I know we live in a capitalist society ; when expenses exceed income something has to change. The owner of the newspaper expects and needs to make a profit. Thus, although I have not budgeted $225.99 to pay for a subscription that is what I must do if I want to use the newspaper to help me function as a member of the community. I could also, in non-pandemic times, read the newspaper at the local public library. I have options even though I would have to make some adjustments to exercise those options. For many, however, an extra $225.99 a year or finding time daily to go to the library is not an option.
I found myself wondering why the owner of this newspaper and his board were making this decision at this time. While I appreciate the fact that advertising revenue might be down and daily newspaper sales might be down during this time of shelter in place, it seems as if the timing is designed to further isolate a certain segment of the population. Of course, I may sound paranoid. It is possible that the systemic effects of the timing of the action were not considered.
The second event which was designed to remind me that none of us exist in isolation was the guest appearance of my friend and colleague, Dr. Marvin Mcgowan on the Pittsburgh television program, The Lynne Hayes-Freeman show. Dr. Mcgowan is a physician at Central Outreach Wellness Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Mcgowan reminded Ms. Hayes-Freeman that there are many social determinants of health. This is true in the time of Covid-19. A large number of factors affects the overall health of an individual and specifically how the immune system of the body functions or does not functions in the presence of temporary and chronic stress (one can google that interview). The social determinants for health include access to health care, the neighborhood in which one lives, economics of the individual, family and community, education and educational systems, access to healthy food, nicotine and other drug use, health of relationships, structural racism, discrimination, sexual orientation, gerrymandering, access to gyms and a host of other factors. All these and more factors either add to or decrease the stress on individual, family and community systems. This accumulated stress affects both the messages sent out to the immune system and the rest of the body and the corresponding messages sent back to the brain which in turn affects the messages sent to the rest of the body by the immune system. Obviously well-functioning immune systems are necessary to fight Covid-19 and other pathogens.
Some of the most thorough studies of the effects of chronic stress have been done on those living or serving in combat areas. The studies demonstrate how the various organs and all parts of the body very predictably and systematically break down as a result of chronic stress until eventually the entire system breaks down.
Our body is a system. Our family is a system. Our community is a system. Our state is a system. Our nation is a system. Our planet is a system. Our universe(s) is/are a system. Health care exists as part of a system. All systems are interactional. This is basic math; basic science; basic morality. “Nothing happens in isolation.”
Written April 22, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
RSS Feed