At the Corner of Happy and Healthy?

“At the corner of happy and healthy!” By now most have heard this catchy slogan released by pharmacy-giant, Walgreens.

My fiancé, Erin, (insert sarcastic voice) just loves being around me when this slogan comes on the T.V. or radio. She loves every opportunity to point out my unrestrained intensity. To me this marketing  phrase is like public speaking to most, generating  a “fight or flight” response that only ends after a few good deep breaths and a sip of water. My blood pressure rises, my heart rate increases, my eyes dilate and my breathing pattern changes.  Honestly, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t experiencing that same physiological shift right now as I write this.

Give me a moment to explain my frustration with this simple yet ridiculous jingle.  We live in a society where those in control of our health care system teach us that we are healthy so long as we are not experiencing symptoms and we are happy so long as we are not sad.  Let me quickly, with one question, blow a hole in this concept.

Q: You know someone who is feeling great, experiencing no symptoms, but has a 90% blockage of their coronary artery. Are they healthy?

A: Of course not! They are a walking time bomb!

Hey Walgreens….!! Just because you are not experiencing symptoms, does not mean you are healthy. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

I digress!

It pains me to see we have come to a point in healthcare where a drug distributor, who sells “band-aids”  to a sick and suffering population , is claiming that they not only know what health and happiness is, but they can also tell you where to find it.

What’s next? Budweiser promoting they are located at the intersection of sober driving and six pack abs?

If you are interested in finding out the TRUE location of HEALTH and HAPPINESS drop in and see us!

- Dr. Tyler Pinstein