Dear Editor: 

Summer is almost here, and like many of you reading this, I plan to kick it off right over the Memorial Day weekend – relaxing with family and friends, playing catch with my kids, grilling and enjoying a cold drink in the afternoon. If that sounds like paradise to you, I’m inclined to agree!

Even in the midst of all that fun in the sun, I’m still a physician, and health is going to be on my mind. I might spend a little extra time out running around before I hit the hammock, or throw some more vegetables on the grill rather than making room for an extra steak. Those little steps add up, and keeping them in the back of my mind now will help me stay healthy all summer and for years to come.

The best part is, anyone can take the same steps. It’s easy to think of health care as something that happens in the doctor’s office, or even in Congress, but the reality is that the best (not to mention the most cost-effective) health care is that which we give to ourselves on a daily basis. Getting enough exercise each day, even if that exercise is nothing more than walking a few blocks, is very important. So is eating right. To help with this, federal law requires that restaurant chains with more than 20 locations post calorie counts and nutritional information on their menu boards, starting next year.  Many restaurants already make this information available, on-site or online, and it is often surprising to see which menu items are healthier than others. The Illinois State Medical Society has always supported legislation and business practices that give consumers more information – but it is still each individual’s responsibility to make wise use of that data.

So by all means, enjoy the barbecue season, fun with your loved ones and all that summer has to offer. Just remember that the more healthy decisions you make today, the more likely it is that you’ll get to enjoy many more summers to come.

Sincerely,

Steven M. Malkin, MD
President, Illinois State Medical Society