| If you regularly read the newspaper (or | | | | – |
| watch television or follow the internet) you may | | | | and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity |
| have seen the following headline: | | | | |
| National Health Day | | | | It is necessary to understand that there are 3 |
| Health and Wellness Expert Declares February 15, | | | | key points to this definition; |
| 2010 as National Health Day | | | | |
| Mayor of Ottawa Proclaims it for Nation’s Capital | | | | 1. The definition doesn’t just tell you what health |
| Six years ago I spearheaded a movement to finally | | | | is, it also tells you what health isn’t. The fact |
| accomplish what many Canadians had been asking for | | | | that you don’t have a disease or that |
| over the last 2 decades. Canadians have always | | | | you’re not sick or not in pain does not mean |
| prided themselves on their health care and have | | | | that you’re healthy. I know of no other word in |
| always wanted an extra holiday between New | | | | the English language that is defined in this manner. It |
| Year’s and Easter over our long winter. Instead | | | | would be like defining an apple as a fruit that is not a |
| of waiting for the continual debate on who to name | | | | banana. |
| the holiday after, I simply combined the two and did | | | | |
| something unique in government circles – I took | | | | 1. It is a completely holistic approach (physical, mental |
| action. Hence, we now have National Health Day. The | | | | and social well-being – I would even add spiritual). |
| Mayor of the city of Ottawa, his worship Larry | | | | |
| O’Brien, has once again joined my quest in | | | | 1. By its definition health is “optimal”. |
| proclaiming National Health Day for the nation’s | | | | Therefore, there is really no such thing as being |
| capital as have previous mayors for the sixth year in | | | | “fairly healthy” or having “average” |
| a row. | | | | health. In fact, even using the phrase “optimum |
| | | | | health” is really being redundant. |
| Each year I write letters to every Member of | | | | |
| Parliament including the Prime Minister and Minister of | | | | Hence, on National Health Day all Canadians |
| Health although this will be the first year that I | | | | need to do two simple things. One, learn the actual |
| haven’t given that Parliament has been | | | | definition of the word health and two; Canadians are |
| prorogued. I have made numerous television | | | | encouraged to do anything healthy on this day |
| appearances including CBC and the A-Channel as well | | | | (although they should obviously practice health every |
| as nation-wide newspaper and radio coverage. I | | | | day of their lives). |
| wrote to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty almost | | | | |
| five years ago with the idea and while he turned me | | | | I take this a step further where I actually |
| down at that time I was both surprised and pleased | | | | close my office for the day and give my employees |
| to see that “Family Day” suddenly appeared | | | | the day off with pay encouraging others to follow |
| the very next year. | | | | suit. While some business owners will complain of the |
| | | | | cost of a new day off please remember that I am a |
| What is National Health Day all about? | | | | business owner too. More so, this is really not about |
| | | | | the government or employers; it’s a personal |
| It’s very simple. As much as Canadians | | | | decision that each person must make as they are |
| claim to be health conscious, the truth is that the | | | | ultimately responsible for their health and should make |
| majority of the public, the majority of health | | | | it a priority for the rest of their life. Even without the |
| professionals and the vast majority of politicians | | | | day off we need to under-stand that our entire |
| don’t even know what the word health actually | | | | system still misses the mark on health and it’s up |
| means. Please appreciate that I’m not talking | | | | to us to change that. To continue to wait for the |
| about serious genetic problems or severely | | | | government to take quick action on our health is |
| under-privileged people who deserve much better. | | | | really an oxymoron. |
| I’m speaking of the majority of industrialized | | | | |
| nations who have the means and ability to be far | | | | Finally, I invite the public to visit my website |
| healthier than they are. If you disagree then explain | | | | at to print my doctor’s note encouraging that |
| our “health care system” which is really a | | | | people take the day off. I would challenge all |
| sick care system that attempts to manage disease. | | | | employers to be proactive and give their employees |
| One simply needs to look at demographics to realize | | | | the day off with pay for the sake of their health as |
| that such a system is doomed to failure. | | | | a healthy workforce will provide many other benefits |
| | | | | to employers. |
| There is a dictionary definition to the word | | | | |
| health. | | | | If all Canadians, especially politicians and |
| “HEALTH” | | | | doctors understood what the word actually meant, |
| The optimal | | | | and more importantly acted on it, our country would |
| state of physical, mental and social well-being | | | | be a much better place. |