Read This Now - This Is Why You're Sick

Yea that's meant to be a riff on this is why you're fat. Micheal Pollan had a very interesting op-ed in the NYT this week examining the health insurance costs generated by America's poor eating habits, which are largely subsidized by the federal government these days (high fructose corn syrup anyone?). Specifically Pollan takes a look at what might well be the coming incentive for the health care lobby to square off against the agri-business lobby in an Alien vs. Predator worthy showdown on Capitol Hill...

But these rules may well be about to change — and, when it comes to reforming the American diet and food system, that step alone could be a game changer. Even under the weaker versions of health care reform now on offer, health insurers would be required to take everyone at the same rates, provide a standard level of coverage and keep people on their rolls regardless of their health. Terms like “pre-existing conditions” and “underwriting” would vanish from the health insurance rulebook — and, when they do, the relationship between the health insurance industry and the food industry will undergo a sea change.

The moment these new rules take effect, health insurance companies will promptly discover they have a powerful interest in reducing rates of obesity and chronic diseases linked to diet. A patient with Type 2 diabetes incurs additional health care costs of more than $6,600 a year; over a lifetime, that can come to more than $400,000. Insurers will quickly figure out that every case of Type 2 diabetes they can prevent adds $400,000 to their bottom line. Suddenly, every can of soda or Happy Meal or chicken nugget on a school lunch menu will look like a threat to future profits.

He also throws in a mention of the idea that moving towards regional 'foodsheds' could prove the most productive and healthy change possible for the American diet. Here in Durham we're working on a community supported fisheries project aimed in part at helping create and strengthen the area's 'foodshed'.