As I think I've said before, I'm a big fan of capitalism. Who was it who said something like, it's a terrible system, but it's the best system? Actually, they said it of democracy, but you can say it about capitalism, too. Innovation and self-determination drive improvement, among many other fine qualities. There is the long list of bad things, such as marketing, that contribute to capitalism's woes. I digress.
You know what's funny about capitalism? Preparation H. Instead of promoting a healthy diet to eliminate hemorrhoids and constipation, we market a med to relieve symptoms.
The only capitalistic incentive to cure and prevent is money. For diseases keep getting passed, the cure will forever be needed; prevention is needed by new people and needs to be updated. But making a disease come to an end and never resurface is not in the best interest of medicine. Or rather, is not in the best interest of the bottom line.
I'll counter my Preparation H argument: isn't it great that someone came up with something for the inevitable number of people who, for whatever reason, suffer from hemorrhoids? And, how will those people find the product if not for marketing? From those who suffer from it to those who stock their shelves with such products, knowledge is the first step.
However, there's also no marketing for the relief of the causes, such as poor diet. Wouldn't it be nice to see information that we should get 2,000-3,000 mL of non-caffeinated water per day (both from liquid and solid sources)? That we should get at least 20g of fiber per day? That lack of physical activity is a contributing factor? That many meds and dietary supplements contribute?
What is the market for health promotion? I don't mean going to the gym - I mean going for a walk. There are no coupons for raw foods, only prepared foods. Just some of the challenges that our system faces.
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