“Change what you can, don’t sweat what you can’t control.”

In contemporary society, the credibility of the healthcare system is frequently called into question. Despite significant investment in U.S. healthcare, exceeding $4 trillion annually, the system often prioritizes profit over prevention and wellness. This profit-driven approach, heavily influenced by pharmaceutical companies, insurance corporations, and healthcare systems, has resulted in patients being viewed as long-term customers rather than individuals empowered to manage their own health. Although emergency and acute care services in the U.S. are commendable, there is a concerning trend regarding the prevention of chronic diseases and the maintenance of long-term well-being (Hurley et al., 2024).

The Role of Trust in Healthcare

Skepticism regarding healthcare is understandable when one examines the statistics. For instance, the U.S. experiences a concerning 250,000 to 400,000 iatrogenic deaths annually, those resulting from medical intervention (Makary & Daniel, 2016). However, this represents only one perspective. The other perspective highlights that despite significant healthcare expenditure, the system performs poorly in terms of life expectancy and chronic disease management compared to other affluent nations (Health at a Glance 2019, 2019). Numerous factors contribute to this issue, including an over-reliance on medications and surgeries, which frequently result in complications rather than the prevention of diseases (Sackett, 2000).

Medical Dissent and the Cost of Speaking Out

Historically, medical professionals who question prevailing narratives have frequently encountered scrutiny, censorship, and professional consequences. Recently, numerous highly esteemed doctors and scientists have expressed concerns regarding public health policies, vaccine mandates, and the influence of pharmaceutical companies only to face discreditation or suppression.

While healthcare professionals with solid credentials have raised concerns about the current state of medicine, many have encountered backlash. Distinguished doctors such as Dr. Daniel Neides have questioned the safety and efficacy of certain medical interventions (Dyer, 2017), and Dr. Peter McCullough despite being one of the most published cardiologists in the world, had his medical board certifications challenged due to him expressing his concerns regarding the medical industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Hulscher et al., 2023). Despite their efforts to initiate important discussions, these professionals often experience a loss of credibility among the public and their peers, being labeled as outliers or conspiracy theorists (Hoffman et al., 2021).

Dr. Robert Malone, a scientist important in developing mRNA vaccine technology, has raised concerns about the safety and long-term effects of these vaccines. Despite his contributions, Malone was de-platformed from major social media platforms after questioning the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and advocating for caution (In-Depth: Did Robert Malone Invent mRNA Vaccines in San Diego? 2022). His case highlights the issue of scientists facing professional ostracization when their views diverge from mainstream policies.

Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a specialist in ear, nose, and throat medicine, became involved in controversy due to her public support for alternative early treatments and her criticism of vaccine mandates. Consequently, she was suspended from Houston Methodist Hospital. Undeterred, she established her own independent practice, where she continues to treat patients based on her medical observations and research (Bowden, 2022). Her experience highlights the increasing divide between institutional medicine and the physicians who advocate for personalized care.

Dr. Alex Cole, a medical researcher and clinician, has expressed concerns about the transparency of vaccine safety data. He has emphasized the importance of open scientific debate and the inclusion of alternative viewpoints. The key issue is whether medical professionals should experience professional consequences for participating in legitimate scientific discussions (Professional, 2024).

Other doctors, including Dr. Pierre Kory, a critical care specialist, and Dr. Paul Marik, an intensive care expert, have discussed the perceived limitations of the mainstream approach to COVID-19 treatments. They have supported the use of repurposed drugs and alternative treatment protocols, which resulted in professional examination and debate. Dr. Kory and Dr. Marik encountered resistance when promoting these alternative COVID-19 treatment strategies (Marik et al., 2020).

These cases highlight a trend in modern medicine where differing opinions, even those from individuals with significant experience and expertise, are often dismissed rather than discussed. Scientific progress relies on thorough discussion and analysis, yet the current environment frequently favors conformity over inquiry. Regardless of individual perspectives on these particular matters, the marginalization of seasoned professionals poses ethical and scientific questions about transparency, accountability, and the impact of influential industries on medical dialogue.

The Case for Personal Responsibility in Health

With the system seemingly failing at times, many individuals are choosing to take responsibility for their own health. Rejecting the mainstream “sick care” model, which often prioritizes a “pill for every ill,” people are turning to alternative practices that emphasize prevention, self-care, and holistic wellness. Taking responsibility for one’s own health through practices like tai chi, qigong (VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Transformation, n.d.), martial arts, yoga, meditation, and even weight training have become powerful ways for individuals to manage stress, improve physical fitness, and maintain mental clarity.

For me, personally, the approach is clear: read labels, carefully monitor what goes in, on, and around the body, practice daily exercises to strengthen the body, and employ stress management techniques for the mind and soul. I limit my mental intake by reducing exposure to the news and social media, focusing instead on the bigger picture. While I cannot change the world, I know I can change myself and influence those around me in a positive way.

The Need for Change

Moving toward a preventative and holistic healthcare approach is crucial, despite challenges in a profit-driven system. The influence of pharmaceutical companies, insurance, and large healthcare interests often overlooks patient well-being (Dickinson, 2014). A shift to a system that rewards prevention, empowers individuals, and values overall well-being over chronic condition management is needed.

However, comprehensive change may be challenging to achieve at the national level. At the individual level, however, transformation is feasible. By taking personal responsibility for our health instead of solely relying on a system that may prioritize profit over care, we make an empowering choice. Engaging in alternative and preventive practices, such as tai chi, qigong, yoga, resistance training, or daily meditation, enables us to regain control over our wellness incrementally.

References

Bowden, M. T. (2022, March 6). Fighting Methodist Hospital — BREATHEMD | Optimal Airway Health. BREATHEmd | Optimal Airway Health. https://breathemd.org/blog/2022/2/27/the-story-behind-why-im-suing-the-hospital-who-suspended-me-for-prescribing-ivermectin

Dickinson, J. (2014, April 1). Deadly medicines and organised crime: How big pharma has corrupted healthcare. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4046551/

Dyer, O. (2017). Cleveland Clinic to re-evaluate its Wellness Institute after director questions vaccines. BMJ, j253. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j253

Fleck, A. (2023, July 5). The healthiest (& unhealthiest) countries in the world. Statista Daily Data. https://www.statista.com/chart/30313/health-and-healthcare-systems-index-scores/

Health At a Glance 2019. (2019, November 7). OECD. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/health-at-a-glance-2019_4dd50c09-en.html

Hoffman, D., Stewart, A., Breznay, J., Simpson, K., & Crane, J. (2021). Vaccine hesitancy narratives. Voices in Bioethics, 7. https://doi.org/10.52214/vib.v7i.8789

Hulscher, N., Procter, B. C., Wynn, C., & McCullough, P. A. (2023). Clinical Approach to Post-acute Sequelae After COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination. Cureus, 15(11), e49204. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.49204

Hurley, B., Lovett, S., D’Urso, J., & Smith, E. (2024, December 14). Three medical bills that show true cost of America’s ‘broken’ healthcare. The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/us-healthcare-insurance-companies-ceo-shooting-z597qlq2n?utm_source=chatgpt.com®ion=global

In-Depth: Did Robert Malone invent mRNA vaccines in San Diego? (2022, January 27). UC Irvine News. https://news.uci.edu/2022/01/27/in-depth-did-robert-malone-invent-mrna-vaccines-in-san-diego/

Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the U.S. BMJ, 353, i2139. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2139

Marik, P. E., Kory, P., Varon, J., Iglesias, J., & Meduri, G. U. (2020). MATH+ protocol for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection: the scientific rationale. Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 19(2), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2020.1808462

Professional, C. C. M. (2024, December 4). Informed consent. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24268-informed-consent

Sacket, D. (2000) Evidence-based medicine : how to practice and teach EBM : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (2000). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/evidencebasedmed00davi/mode/2up?q=reliance

VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Transformation. (n.d.). TAI CHI AND QI GONG. In VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation (pp. 1–7). https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/docs/Tai-Chi-and-Qi-Gong.pdf

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119