Western Slope Residents Take Control of Health

What can folks around here do to take control of their lifestyle and live a longer, healthier life on the Western Slope? The question is on many minds, especially as we age and face the realities of our own mortality. Standing in the parking lot of the Grand Junction Community Hospital, the sun rising over the Colorado National Monument, it's hard not to think about the choices we make every day that impact our health.

Here's the thing though: we have the power to predict and prevent many of the health threats that can shorten our lifespan. According to a recent article by Malcolm Haims, since the beginning of mankind, death often arrived without warning, but now humans possess the ability to predict and prevent many health threats. The problem is, too many of us choose not to be proactive in protecting our well-being and life expectancy.

In the modern world, our greatest threat to life expectancy has shifted, and depending on our life choices, the three most common causes of early mortality are heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes — all of which are largely preventable. Heart disease, the leading cause of death globally, is driven by factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and chronic stress. These lifestyle-related risks gradually damage the body over time, often without obvious symptoms until serious complications arise.

Picture this: organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) freely share credible research and education with us about heart disease. Because most people don’t know or understand how easy it is to improve their heart health, the AHA developed Life’s Essential 8, which focuses on early prevention by targeting the main risk factors before serious problems occur. The WHO regularly publishes educational materials, reports, and guidance about heart disease and health management interventions.

Not exactly a secret, but while cancer may be influenced by genetics and environmental exposures, tobacco, excess body weight, and alcohol use are three main modifiable risk factors for cancer. Data from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) indicates that should we choose to educate ourselves, nearly 40% of cancers are preventable, proving that small, smart choices can make a difference. The 2024 Cancer Progress Report explains in very simple terms how modifications in lifestyle can reduce our cancer risk.

And that matters because the prevalence of diabetes has risen sharply in recent decades, with the CDC estimating that about 15.8% of the U.S. population over 18 is affected. If that is not shocking enough, it is worth noting that 27.6% of adults aged over 18 may be living with undiagnosed diabetes. Unquestionably, this condition is closely tied to modern diets high in processed foods and sedentary lifestyles — both of which significantly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications that shorten lifespan. Fortunately, irrefutable data proves that the risk of developing this condition is modifiable.

As locals, we can take control of our lifestyle by making informed choices about our diet, physical activity, and stress management. We can start by educating ourselves about the risks and benefits associated with our lifestyle choices. The AHA's Life’s Essential 8 and the WHO's educational materials are great resources to get started.

As the sun rises higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the Grand Junction Community Hospital, it's clear that taking control of our lifestyle is a choice we can make every day. We can choose to prioritize our health and well-being, and in doing so, live a longer, healthier life on the Western Slope. The question is, what will we choose to do today?

In the stillness of the morning, a woman steps out of the hospital, taking a deep breath of the crisp Colorado air. She looks out at the monument, a symbol of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and begins her walk, one step at a time, towards a healthier, happier life.