Are We In Control of Our Health?

    Do we have complete control of our health? Some argue that there are measures that one can take to stay in good health. This is true, there are many ways to keep our bodies healthy, eating right and excersing just being two of those ways. However, despite all these precautions that some people take, there is always the chance that some unexplained and unexpected health crisis may arise. Family history may also be a leading factor in certain cases. Even some work environments can create health situations that are not always completely in our control.
     I would argue that while it is good to do healthy things, these do not always guarantee that we will stay healthy. Take something such as cancer. There are many different kinds of cancer, and while some are linked to certain things such as smoke inhalation or too much sun exposure, many forms are out of our control. If we know our family histories than certain preventive care measures may be taken but this does not always mean safe passage. And the funny thing about diseases is that they do not care if you are rich or poor, educated or not, previously healthy or not; they can happen to anyone. This is also where health insurance comes into play.  The article "Access to Universal Health Care Is a Human Right" stated that "the uninsured have an average credit card debt of $14,512 in medical debt and those with insurance have $10,973." So, if an uninsured or less than wealthy individual finds themselves ill with a serious disease, what are they to do? How can they pay for treatment they need and that may save them?  
     Ancient civilizations made attempts to keep the people as healthy as possible so they could remain strong. Rome constructed aqueducts to bring clean water to the city for its citizens. They also created huge public bath houses that the citizens could use to help keep clean but also as prescriptions from the doctors of the time.
     Then there are those who are born with serious illnesses. These cases are definitely beyond the control of the individual. Although being able to access the best care and medication certainly helps manage their diseases better so they can stay as healthy as possible. But still even with treatment, nothing is set in stone.
    Finally, some work environments also can contribute to health situations; sometimes for the better and sometimes not. Sitting down all day long in front of a computer is not only boring for many people but it is also bad for posture and does not do anything to burn off the day's lunch and snacks. In these cases it may not be the actual work so much as the hours put in, the U.S. works more hours than most other nations, and this is not necessarily a good thing. Other dangerous work environments could include mines and places where people are exposed to harmful substances. Of course many might ask why would anyone want to work in a place that could be bad for their health. This could be a choice, but for others it may be the only job that they were able to get or keep. In these situations their health may be out of their control.