Scenarios — Transformation

Our long-term health has become a major national and personal focus. In the last ten years, we have seen the convergence of several social movements that recognize that people's actions are situated in a larger ecosystem of causes and effects. Especially pronounced are movements to provide holistically healthy environments and habits for children, and to create more supportive, less costly systems for end-of-life care. Sophisticated feedback technologies encourage the healthy to stay well, as part of a low-key but pervasive system for preventive health. A substantial portion of the population is becoming convinced that they can no longer live however they please, and rely on health care to "fix" them when health problems arise. Health care as a percent of GDP has risen from 17% to 24%. People, companies, communities and our nation as a whole have a responsibility to work together to change behaviors and structures to nurture health resilience. People have adopted the perspective that creating good health for oneself, one’s family and one’s community is an act of citizenship. Organizations' understandings of their health impacts in the broader sense of ecological health are sharper than ever. While more and more companies are untangling themselves from providing health benefits, they are moving toward promoting health both inside and outside their walls. While the slow changes in daily habits have yet to realize a full systemic transformation, a healthier future is in the works.

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Questions to consider as you view the video

• Percentage of GDP grows from 17% to 24%.
• Adolescent obesity rate decreases from 17.6% in 2006 to 12.4% in 2020.
• Increasing focus on personal responsibility for health and wellness.
• People, companies, communities, and nation engaged in healthy living.
• Commitment to provide holistically healthy environments and habits for children.
• Movement to create more supportive but less costly systems for end-of-life care.
• Increasing focus on ecologic health, a consciousness of environment and well-being.
• Social Health Pledges — Formation of community gardens and movements for community grocery