There is a Lost World of Health Care that exists right here in Kalona. And it exists in North Liberty, and Ames, and Jesup, and several other places scattered around the state of Iowa and beyond. It’s a world very few people know about. It’s the world of Health Promotion.

You see, there are three separate “worlds” of health care, and we all know the other two very well.

World One is the Treatment world, where people receive care to help with injuries or illnesses they are experiencing. This is a very important world of health care that can restore health and saves lives on a daily basis by helping stabilize people with existing problems.

World Two is the Prevention world. In this world, health professionals urge us to do things to make it less likely that we will become sick or injured. We have all been squarely in the Prevention world the past two years, with pleas to wash hands, wear masks, get vaccinated, and stay away from other people. These efforts are solely aimed at preventing the spread of illness.

Look closely at the Treatment and Prevention worlds, however. Notice how neither one are designed to improve health. That’s right, do everything the Treatment and Prevention worlds suggest and you will get back to being not sick or not injured.

Being healthy is very different than being just not sick, however.

Very. Different.

In fact, it is entirely possible to be not-sick and chronically unhealthy at the same time. It is also possible to be very healthy and to experience illness.

The Lost World of health care is the world of Health Promotion. Health Promotion includes actions and habits that move people towards even better health than they currently have. In this world, health care professionals provide services that improve the health of the individuals they serve. When people participate in care that promotes health, they emerge as healthier people.

After two full years of living in a pandemic, it is extremely clear that what the world needs now is healthier people. What we all need are more individuals who have taken full responsibility for their health habits and daily choices and sought out professional services aimed at promoting health.

The population who participates in health promotion will be a population much less at risk for the next pandemic. They will also be more fit and able to participate fully in life’s physical activities and necessary challenges. They will be more productive, more present, and more engaged with their communities.

They will be the population we needed two years ago that would have physically and emotionally weathered the storm of this pandemic with much more resiliency.

Where to start?

Make daily choices in how you sleep, move, eat, breathe, and focus that will lead you towards better health. Schedule appointments with health care professionals like a wellness chiropractor, a mental health professional, a personal trainer, and a massage therapist. And then spread the word to others, because this needs to be a community effort.

When to start?

Well, there is an ancient Japanese proverb that asks, “When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When is the next best time? Right now.” It’s the same exact thing with health promotion.

Please understand that all three Worlds of health care are crucial to a healthy population. And now you’re aware of the Lost World of Health Promotion you can access if your goal is even better health.

So, dear reader, when is the best time for you to improve your health?

Dr. Chris Grier is a Wellness Chiropractor in Kalona who loves to enjoy nature with his family, coach baseball, and continue learning how to help human beings thrive.