I did not watch Obama's health care speech in part because I did not expect him to say anything truly revolutionary on the subject of health care. Our current health care debate in America is an emotional one, but I feel our approach is all wrong. Trying to funnel more people into a broken health insurance system is not the way to go. Even adding a public option will still maintain the status quo of people buying "insurance" just to get their basic health needs taken care of.

Health insurance, in my mind, should never be about health maintenance. It should only be applied to those catastrophic events that we would otherwise not be able to pay for: a broken leg, a serious disease.

by Stephanie Brail

In times of ever-climbing gas prices, looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption can not only be good for your pocketbook, but your health. Walking instead of driving is one way to lower your fuel expenses while improving your health and well-being.

Did you know that a 150 pound person walking briskly can burn an average of 320 calories per hour? So what would you rather do, burn $4 per gallon of gas or 320 calories per hour?

Walking not only burns calories, it improves circulation and enhances cardiovascular health. Walking can lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol. If you are diabetic or in danger of becoming so, walking can help your body process sugar more efficiently. Walking help keeps you strong, reducing the risk of accidental falls as you age. Additionally, walking can elevate the mood and spirits. (For more on the health benefits of walking, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking/HQ01612)

by Stephanie Brail

How far are you willing to go for beauty? Would you be willing to gamble your life? Because that's what women are doing when they choose to receive Botox injections, based on analysis by Ralph Nadar's watchdog group, Public Citizen. With 16 recorded deaths from the popular form of plastic surgery, Public Citizen is calling on the FDA to put a "black box" warning on the Botox label.

by Stephanie Brail

As obesity soars in America, studies are finding that access to good food is a problem for less affluent Americans. HealthDay recently reported that poorer Americans not only have issues with affording quality food, but they have fewer places to buy good foods. One prime suspect: the convenience store now outnumbers the grocery store in many rural areas. The findings come from studies by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in their November 2007 issue on poverty and human development.

According to the HealthDay article: "People with more money eat more fruits and vegetables than those with less money, research shows. In turn, poorer people also assume a greater disease burden relative to their wealthier counterparts."