Vol06No02_Editorial

Developing Workplace Intelligences

Health is one of the fundamental needs of humanity. People may have wealth, education, or talent, but without good health, they will not be happy, and will not be able to make good use of their assets. As we consider health issues, particularly in developing countries, we find them to be inextricably linked to educational and financial issues. As Morgan & Irrgang’s article about the “Double Burden of Disease” points out, demographic patterns have a very strong effect on the labor force. Developing countries are poor at least partly because they have more dependents than productive citizens. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that developing countries are also beginning to experience the lifestyle diseases of more developed nations, putting even greater financial strains on the few productive workers to maintain the society. Merklin’s article on obesity in the Philippines is an example of this type of trend. Mesa’s article illustrates yet another lifestyle risk factor—that of cigarette smoking. He explores what has been done in other parts of the world as a way of forming ideas about what can be done in the Philippines. Morgan and Prendergast explore an issue perhaps less common in developing countries, but still very real: what happens when the media and the courts make decisions relating to the health of citizens based on factors other than careful, scientific study?

Education is a solution which is common to the issues mentioned in these articles. Children are the future of any society, but in developing countries, if they can develop better health habits, not begin smoking, and avoid lifestyle diseases, they can live to be much needed, useful, and productive members of society for many years to come. Getting information to these people about how to live healthfully is possible in schools, where there is a “captive audience” of minds that may not yet be closed to new ideas. Educators need to take more responsibility for helping students understand what their health choices today can mean for the future. Mesa’s article on smoking cessation can give us insights as to how this can be done. Simply urging self-control is not always effective. The fact that certain techniques work better to help children say “no” to cigarettes can help us understand how we can help children say “no” to other negative health practices.

Finally, those who are concerned about the financial health of developing countries need to be interested in the health and education of the citizens of those countries. When these issues are cared for, it is much easier to balance the budget and to move away from poverty, because there is an educated, healthy work force to help carry the load.

Shawna Vyhmeister, PhD
Editor, Info Journal
Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies
Silang, Cavite , Philippines