Live Younger Longer

Everyday interactions
Most often, our health is compromised because of our interactions with the
world around us. Some external factors — such as accidents, infections or

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even intentional self-harm — can damage our health and sometimes kill us.
But factors such as these account for maybe another 20% of overall health.
Access to health care also affects our health. Some people have less access
to health care services than others, perhaps because of lack of funds or
resources, inadequate medical insurance, or reduced proximity to medical
offices and hospitals. But access to health care services accounts for only
about 10% of overall health.
So what about the other 50%? You are the biggest driver of your own
health. Your daily behaviors are the single most important factor in keeping
you healthy. While certain genetic variations may indeed increase a
person’s risk of heart attack, a lifestyle that includes things like smoking,
eating unhealthy foods, sitting too much and not exercising can increase
that person’s risk of a heart attack by 400%!
In today’s modern society, the way in which we interact with our
environment — our behaviors combined with circumstances — have an
oversized effect on our health compared with genetics.
It’s true that for plenty of us, our circumstances may not always be ideal or
under our control. But at the same time, it’s heartening to know that making
healthy choices in our daily lives can play a huge role in keeping our
internal systems in balance and healthy.

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Dr. Charles H. Mayo (above), one of the cofounders of Mayo Clinic, said, “It is unfortunate
that so few appreciate from what small causes diseases come.” This idea is so true today.
Diseases really do come from all of the tiny, seemingly inconsequential decisions we
make every day. But eventually, these decisions take their toll.