This article first appeared on the District 9800 web site
December is Rotary's Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. In the olden days people died through starvation, a lack of cleanliness and medical knowledge. Now we have plenty of food, we wash our hands with soap, go to the doctor when ill and use all sorts of technology to diagnose and treat conditions that effect our quality of life. However in the western world our desire to live longer and better, has created life threatening conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, Diabetes, cancer and coronary heart disease.
So, is there really a role for Rotary in disease prevention and treatment and will we as Rotarians live long and healthy lives to enable us to take on such a role.
Studies show that a ‘primal’ diet made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as meat, fish and eggs, is best for weight control and improvement in risk markers for illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. The notion of eating mindfully, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sunlight, and sleep, as well as walking regularly with a touch of resistance exercises to maintain muscle mass and strength seems achievable. It has been suggested that practising random acts of kindness and active appreciation of such things as friends and family, a beautiful landscape or sunset, can significantly lift our mood.
So if we keep fit and healthy in mind and body what can and should we do about good health in the rest of the Rotary world.
Well, being an active participant in the Rotary movement to eradicate Polio, comes to mind and Donations to the Rotary Foundation Polio plus Fund will be gratefully received at any time this Rotary year. The work of our Foundation never stops!
But what about Malaria, a disease close to our country and seen as very important in all continents? One of the platform programs of Rotary Australia World Community Service is Rotarians against Malaria. The primary focus of RAM has been the distribution of insecticide-treated nets to vulnerable populations in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste. Over $1.6 million has been donated to eliminate malaria and RAM works closely with the Health authorities in each country and complements the work of other malaria organisations, most notably the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The battle is being fought in several ways, the distribution of long lasting insecticidal bed nets to homes and hospitals, insecticide treated curtains and an Australian developed repellent is certainly making a difference. Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute are close to developing drugs to provide new treatment and a vaccine to treat this disease and a scholarship for a Post Graduate student from the Solomon Islands has been granted to Edgar Pollard who has commenced studies at James Cook University.
So as we do our Christmas shopping, and look forward to the festive season perhaps some consideration could be given to a donation to RAM to fund some life-saving mosquito nets. This would certainly constitute a Random Act of Kindness and would make a lifesaving difference in our world.
