The Covid 19 pandemic has upended so much of our social order and stressed the health care system almost to its breaking point. The vaccines and medications developed so brilliantly by pharmaceutical researchers have helped immeasurably. But to be better prepared for the next pandemic, there’s one optimal strategy: start with healthier people.

Those hospitalized with Covid 19 have been disproportionally obese, suffering from diabetes or metabolic syndrome, have had previous respiratory problems, or were at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Here in the United States we do a monumentally abysmal job of taking care of people’s basic health.

Don’t just take it from me. Here’s an editorial from David Aronoff, MD based on an article in JAMA.

Among the many criticisms that can be leveled at our national approach to health care and public health, let me also emphasize that the nation’s health would be improved immeasurably by more robust use of chiropractic and the principles embodied in chiropractic practice. Chiropractic has been scientifically ahead of its time for more than a century; at the same time, its format for health-care delivery  — personal, hands-on, practical, conservative — is both rooted in old-fashioned human values while also being timeless.

Dr. Lavine has been an innovator in the use of movement and touch to promote health since 1981. He practices in New York City and Princeton, NJ.