There is more information about health out there then ever before. Why, then, are so many of us unhealthy and out of shape? Given all that we now know, or could with a little effort, all of us should be the very picture of health. Sadly though, many of us know next to nothing about the human body and how to keep it working well. The resources are available and if people knew better how to access them and put the information to use, we'd all be better off.
Studies Indicate
Research would seem to indicate that health illiteracy is rampant in the majority of the American population. This would include nutrition,medicine and other healthcare related information. The research would suggest that either they are unable to effectively understand the information they have access to or they don't have enough health information to consistently maintain their fitness and health. One of the findings of research is that a large percentage of illness is due to the effects of insufficient management of beliefs, emotions, attitude, food, stress and environment.
Not participating in unhealthy behaviors would seem to be the quickest easiest way to consistent wellness. This assumes an individual is aware of harmful versus healthy behaviors. Without sufficient information being available and understood this isn't always the case. What we can draw from this is the fact that we need more anatomy and health information.
World Wide Web Research
The hundred dollar question is "Do we really attempt to get Health information? With the advent of the World Wide Web it is really difficult to find a good reason for having a lack of good health information facts. The latest research states that over half of the American adults have access to the World Wide Web. Having access to the Internet means access to the myriad of of websites that have good health information on human anatomy and health.
The problem with a lot of health education is that it is posed in such a way that it is difficult to understand. However, many websites take a better approach and present the workings of the human body in a way that makes these natural processes readily apprehensible and memorable: animation. Being able to actually see how the body works immediately fosters greater understanding of how our habits really affect us. Many people remain unaware of the existence of such sources however; if they were aware of them, better health practices would surely follow. These sorts of materials are the same as used by medical students as they learn the intricacies of human anatomy.
As an example, let us take the endocrine system. The hormones produced by this system affect almost every part of the body; nearly every organ, every function is to some degree influenced by the workings of the endocrine system. A demonstration, in graphical or animated format would lead to greater understanding of the endocrine system and the body as a whole. This could lead to a greater concern with controlling stress once a basic understanding of the effects of hormones on health has been established.
In Closing
A greater understanding of this system, such as could be gained through an animated demonstration could well lead to a better understanding of the relation between stress and health on the part of the public.