As we head into “flu season” flu shot advertisements are seen everywhere.
Let’s step back for a moment and look at the REAL NUMBERS to determine where our FEARS need to be focused:
The Flu:
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5% to 20% — Between 9.2 – 35.6 million people in the U.S. will get the flu each year.
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200,000 — Average number of Americans hospitalized each year because of problems with the illness.
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3,000 to 49,000 — Number of people who die each year from flu–and flu related causes in the U.S.
(REFERENCE: WebMD: What are your odds of getting the flu?)
Type 2 Diabetes:
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9.4% of the U.S. Population– As of 2015, 30.3 million Americans, had Type 2 Diabetes. 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
(REFERENCE: American Diabetes Assoc: Statistics on Diabetes)
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7,700,000 — In 2012, number of Americans hospitalized because of diabetes.
(REFERENCE: National Institute of Health: Management of Diabetes and Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients )
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79,535 —Number of people who die each year in the United States DIRECTLY from diabetes.
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252,806 –Number of people who die from diabetic related causes in the U.S.
(REFERENCE: American Diabetes Assoc: Statistics on Diabetes)
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Using these numbers, let’s do a direct comparison:
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THE FLU:
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U.S. Population — Between 9.2 – 35.6 million people in the U.S. will get the flu each year.
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
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U.S. Population– (As of 2015,) 30.3 million Americans, had Type 2 Diabetes. 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
THE FLU:
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200,000 — Average number of Americans hospitalized each year because of the flu.
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
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7,700,000 — In 2012, number of Americans hospitalized because of diabetes.
THE FLU:
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3,000 to 49,000 — Number of people who die each year from Flu or Flu-related causes in the U.S.
TYPE 2 DIABETES:
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79,535 —Number of people who die each year DIRECTLY from Diabetes in the United States.
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252,806 –Number of people who die each year from Diabetic related causes in the U.S.
Hopefully I’m choosing Lifestyle. I don’t take flu shots. I took one once MANY years ago and it MADE me sick. I’ve never had another one and I’ve never had the flu either.
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Many people have made a similar claim regarding illness after receiving the flu shot. There are so many better methods (with fewer to NO side effects) to reduce the chances of the flu. We are (unfortunately) a society that CHOOSES pills and injectables over essential lifestyle needs. This premise is INACCURATE. Pills and injectables are NOT an alternative to lifestyle needs, but rather an unfortunate RESULT of neglecting one’s physical and mental needs.
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Good point. I never thought of it that way but you’re entirely correct.
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Opening people’s eyes to “new truths” is a central theme of my blog site. I hope readers recognize the potential value it offers to improve the quality of their lives.
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Hi Doctor Jonathan,
I know what you mean – and couldn’t agree more – I think we lose site of real threats because being active takes too long – instant gratification may be part of the issue – we want health and we want it now. But we want all our sweets and our easy chair too! It’s a hard sell to help people realize that health is a lifestyle commitment, tremendously worth it, but it comes with sacrifices too.
On a side note, it scary to me that people would dare not take off their masks for a wedding photo?
Thank you!
Joan
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I think one of the biggest problems is the misbelief that healthy living is somehow a lifestyle of self deprivation. It is a lifestyle that creates greater opportunity for functional living WITHOUT sacrificing life’s (less healthful) pleasures. It is simply the quantity of these substances that requires moderation. The “I want” attitude is a behavior that many children simply never grew out of when they became adults.
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Very interesting as I never thought to compare type 2 diabetes with the flu but you make a very good point! Too many people want the quick fix of a “diabetes” shot over a lifestyle change. You can’t really blame them with the amount of drug advertising aimed at curing it going on but still…
For the record I’ve never had a flu shot but that’s due more to me being a chicken than anything else. 😉
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Thanks for your comment, Tricia. As you mention, many dollars are invested in drug advertising. Interestingly, people misunderstand that these drugs DO NOT CURE diseases like Diabetes. They are designed to (literally) maintain these chronic states of disease. Since patient behavior is not emphasized, these drugs fail at this objective as well. The proof can be seen when measuring increasing quantities and dosages required over time. I don’t blame the medical field entirely for this failure. As doctors, we can’t make people change their lifestyles if they choose to remain steadfast in their destructive ways. I do, however, blame those who know better and choose to be a health and financial burden on our society
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Interesting statistics…Interesting how many people rely on the quick fixes..No scrap that SAD ..not interesting…sad.. that the population is so dependent on the needle or tablet but as you have pointed out so many times to me…Its money and big business …..But it is your money guys and more importantly you and your families health….Such apathy stuns me… I also have never had a flu shot…and luckily not had the flu..germs begone!
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I share these statistics to reinforce the REALITY in our lack of understanding. People need to recognize they will be part of these future statistics if they continue to CHOOSE to follow these dangerous lifestyles that “hide” symptoms of disease until it is becomes too late.
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Probably similar statistics down under. You may have seen that the “worst flu season” was recorded. and there was flak for the vaccine supplier not getting it right. With so many strains possible, it seems it must inevitably be a lottery that they would! I may be wrong, but have read that flu deaths in adults are not nationally reportable in this country. Only flu deaths in children are reportable!
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I don’t know how flu deaths are reported in Australia. There is much legitimate controversy over the efficacy of the flu vaccine. If just as much attention was placed on LIFESTYLE HABITS, fewer cases of flu and/or flu related deaths would be seen (without any unnecessary mercury injected into the body.)
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Lifestyle for sure !
Those stats are horrific….
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People need to see the REALITY. Until it “smacks them” in the forehead, it just doesn’t seem real to people.
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[…] Why Americans Fear The Flu, But Don’t Fear Type 2 Diabetes […]
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No truer statement!
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I appreciate it!
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Spot on article! I do take the flu shot but not the kind with drugs… mine is from superfoods in a shot glass 🙂 I do not get the flu. I focus on healthy lifestyle every day. Food is my “drug” of choice for great health.
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If more people followed your path, better health would be experienced by a majority of our population. Recognizing personal responsibility is a difficult nut to crack.
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Flu shots are the most useless thing ever! A few years ago, the whole family got flu shots and we all got dreadfully sick. It was awful! Since then, we’ve never had another flu shot. Sometimes we get sick, sometimes we don’t, but there’s no point in getting a flu shot when there thousands of different flu strains anyway and basic hygene is enough to keep it at bay.
On the other hand, diabetes is a real danger for us. Both my husband and I have a family history of type 2 diabetes, so we’re both doing our best to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as possible and make our children aware of the risk. There’s no shot that can protect us from it.
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I wish more people understood the realities you discuss in your comment. We must learn what our body’s need to protect them from harm. Medications should be used when deficiencies prevent natural approaches from effectively restoring balance. If used in this manner, pharmaceuticals can be quite beneficial.
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Thank you Dr. Jonathan for another informative and educational article.
I think in my case that why I fear the flu more than type-2-diabetes is simply because the lack of knowledge of type-2-diabetes. Now thanks to your post, I’m more aware of this issue and I’ll try to improve my lifestyle to live a healthier life!
Vivienne
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You wont’ be disappointed. Healthy living does not require sacrificing life’s experiences. It requires providing essential needs FIRST before indulging in secondary experiences. This enhances one’s life because it improves functional living as one ages.
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[…] Why Americans Fear The Flu, But Don’t Fear Type 2 Diabetes […]
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another great informational post, of course my husband with a sever dual lung disease gets the flu shot each year. His doctor wants me to be vaccinated for precautionary measures, however I refuse. I am 60, and have only once had a flu shot, I was pressured by my job with the elderly years ago, never again…taking care of ourselves is the first step….xx
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You know a “red flag” exists when the cry for ALL to participate in a medical treatment is requested. A healthy person exposed to a virus stimulates a normal immune response offering a much stronger effective form of protection. It doesn’t require “boosters” because the ongoing exposure creates ongoing protection. Naturally, there are cases where this procedure is warranted to offset a deficient functioning immune system.
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True……xx
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Lifestyle for sure!!! the Whiter your bread is the faster your dead eat clean have cheat days and be happy. Ever since high school I stopped taking flu shots it tends to get me more sick I just started making more green juices putting more veggies and fruits in my diet exercising helps way better.
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Providing your body the essential needs to support a healthy existence is typically all the body requires. Most people choose instead to toxify it physically and emotionally and believe “bad luck” (or bad genes) is the cause of their recurring or chronic diseases. People do not like to point their own finger at themselves as the REAL cause of BLAME!
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So true 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 exercise is key some may be lazy and say oh I’m far b/c it runs in the family or I have so and so disease b/c it runs in the family NO! You could put a big hold to that once you start doing a change yourself eat clean exercise cut down totally on sugars and carbs and there r many healthy and tasty alternatives such as quinoa instead of rice cinnamon instead of sugar etc
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You are absolutely right. There are many quality substitutes for these harmful foods and ingredients, but the consumer must first recognize the harm by personally experiencing symptoms before they consider changing their thinking.
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True 100 percent.
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Great point.
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Glad you found it interesting.
Hope you enjoy your weekend.
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