By the end of 2009, the jobless rate stood at 10% and the number of unemployed persons at 15.3 million. The Bureau of Labor Statistics issued an updated report in June of 2010 that among the unemployed, 4 in 10 (6.1 million people) have remained jobless for approximately 7 months or more, by far the highest proportion of long-term unemployment on record, with data back to 1948.
In addition, the Economic Stress Index reported by the Associated Press indicates that more than two-thirds of the United States (37 of 50 states) endured more hardship in June than in May due to more bankruptcies in the West and foreclosures in the North. The reversal of improvement reflects a slowing economy.
"The U.S. recovery has lost momentum as of midyear and is struggling to find its footing," said Lynn Reaser, President of the National Association for Business Economics. "Risks to the nation's recovery are growing. Unemployment is stuck near double digits. The ailing housing market is pressuring home values. The stock market has been roiled by Europe's debt crisis and concerns about the U.S. recovery." As consumer confidence has sunk, shoppers have cut back on borrowing and spending.
Opposite of the current economic recession, the Health and Wellness Industry is projected to grow, raising consumer sales of health and nutrition products from $200 billion to $1 trillion over the next several years. According to experts, there's a reason for this forecasted growth, even while most every other trade of the economy is in decline.
After 2008 elections, voters said HEALTHCARE was the most important issue, after the economy. There is ample evidence that health and wealth are related, and it is possible that health helps drive-or hinder-economic mobility. According to a survey recorded in the Journal of Economic Perspectives, individuals who report excellent health hold 74 percent more wealth than those who report fair or poor health.
Regarding health and financial status, where are you today? Where were you 5-10 years ago? And where will you be 5-10 years from now? To date, our unemployment rates remain constant without significant signs of improvement. Over 15 million jobs have been lost since the beginning of the downward shift in the economy; but to our greater dismay, experts are finding that as our financial condition deteriorates… so too does our health.
Weight Management
Industry According to America's Health Rankings survey, conducted by the United Health Foundation, U.S. citizens rank as the most obese country out of the 150 industrialized nations evaluated; and at more than TWICE the rate of most other countries. Even more alarming, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports two out of every three adults in the U.S. are either overweight or obese.
Experts are saying that the current economic crisis could intensify the overweight and obesity epidemic. Food prices, particularly for more nutritious foods, are expected to rise, making it more difficult for families to eat healthy foods. Estimates of how much prices will increase vary, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects an overall increase in food prices of 3 to 4% during 2010. These estimates are based on increases in supermarket prices of 2.5 to 3.5%, and increases in prices of food consumed away from the home at rates of 3.5 to 4.5%.
If higher food costs aren't enough to drive poor food choices, new studies on obesity are revealing more contributing factors. In one long-term study reported on WebMD, researchers followed more than 4,000 subjects for almost two decades in one of the longest studies ever to examine the impact of mental health upon obesity. The results showed that people who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions are more likely to gain weight over time and become obese than people who don't. And unfortunately, rates of depression, anxiety, and stress caused by strain in the economy are at an all time high.
According to an American Psychological Association poll in September 2009, 80% of those interviewed, reported the economy to be causing significant stress – a significant raise from 66% in 2008. The National Sleep Foundation said 27% of those surveyed last fall had sleeplessness due to economic anxiety. Consequently, experts are worried that growing mental health issues, involving anxiety and depression, will only escalate the obesity epidemic.
Digestive Health
Industry Another health ailment triggered by the anxiety and stress associated with our current economic state, is poor digestive health. Although it may be news to many, stress greatly affects digestion. Whether you're anxious about the stock market, nervous about a job interview, or fretting over finances, digestive discomfort is an all too common experience. Human responses to fear, anxiety, and stress, it turns out, are directly wired to the gut. There is a real connection within our physiology, linking our nervous system to the digestive tract. In fact, research has identified nerve fibers in the gut that are so extensive and complex, they sometimes refer to it as the "gut brain." Stress plays a key role in digestive conditions, including heartburn, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and even Crohn's disease.
Digestive health has been slowly moving toward the forefront of the public health forum, as the burden of digestive problems on the U.S. Health Care System rise. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 60 to 70 million Americans are affected each year by digestive problems at a cost that exceeds $100 billion in relief, treatment, and medical expenses. In fact, a new study conducted by The Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition reveals that nearly half of Americans, estimated at 46%, say digestive problems affect their day-to-day lives and prevent them from getting a full night's sleep, going out to eat, exercising, and even socializing with friends.
Today, the good news is, Americans are paying more attention to their digestive health than ever before. In fact, according to the Food and Health Survey of 2007, more than 80% say they are currently consuming or would be interested in consuming digestive health products for health and wellness benefits.
Another result of the economic decline is the amount of time our nation spends towards trying to pick up the pieces of their crumbling financial situation. No time or energy is left for physical activity, which is vital to our health and well being. The problem is intensified by the fact that the economic crisis also encourages unhealthy behavioral patterns – poor nutritional habits, smoking, alcohol, and less movement. Many people are experiencing the resulting health problems that come with these unhealthy habits, and they are looking to the energy and fitness industry to keep up. Between 2001 and 2007, there was a 516% growth in energy-drink sales, and today, 35% of teens and 45% of young adults drink an energy drink every day. Studies indicate that today energy drinks actually outsell soft drinks 2 to 1, proving to be hands-down the most profitable and fastest-growing sector of the beverage industry.
Anti-Aging / Healthy Aging
Industry According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Merck Institute of Aging, growing old in a socio-economic rough time, only compounds problems for the baby boomer generation. Beginningin 2012, nearly 10,000 Americans will turn 65 every day, and by 2030, 20% of the population will have passed their 65th birthday. The aging of America, however, is more than a matter of numbers. The average 75 year old has three chronic conditions and uses five different prescription drugs. Unfortunately, the CDC and the Merck Institute of Aging report America's Health Care workforce lacks the training to provide appropriate care, and it is wholly UNPREPARED for the coming senior boom. This means that, if retirement reserves continue to dwindle and the Health Care system does not devise a way to support the great influx, within the next two decades the baby boomer generation will need to rely greatly on generation X and Y to sustain them.
In order to address some of the greatest concerns facing our world today, YOR Health has strategically designed cutting edge health and wellness products within the growing multi-billion dollar markets of the weight management, digestive health, energy and fitness, and healthy aging industries.
Because YOR Health understands the importance of evolving to adapt to a changing world, we also look to implement the latest innovations in nutrition technology. But before we discuss why our formulation technology, backed by leading doctors, is the wave of the future for more effective nutrition; it is important to first remind ourselves the basic aim of nutrition.
The goal of nutrition is bioavailability, getting nutrition absorbed into the blood so it can be transported to the rest of the body, to be used for building and repairing your body's cells, tissues, and organs. Enzymes are the key to nutrition because they improve the absorption and assimilation of nutrients into the blood. Enzymes are responsible for constructing, delivering, dispensing, and eliminating the many nutrient ingredients your body uses everyday in order to sustain life. This basic principle is why we formulate all of our products with the philosophy in mind that you are what you absorb.
Based on the latest cutting edge research, YOR Health uses scientifically formulated enzyme delivery systems, to work synergistically within each formula to maximize its effectiveness and absorption of nutrients… The results are - more effective nutrition for better results you can see and feel.
Effective nutrition is a crucial element to healthy living. You may think that if you swallow a multivitamin, 100% of the vitamins and minerals are absorbed into your system. However, this is simply not the case. At the cellular level, at the tissue level, and at the most basic level of the body's nutritional need, nutrients must be both absorbed and bioavailable in order for them to make a difference in your health.
Growing health concerns involving the weight management, digestive health, energy and fitness, and healthy aging industries, are sky-rocketing – but we are not destined to become statistics if we so choose. We all have the ability to assess the path we are on involving the health of ourselves and our loved ones. By taking a step outside of our particular vantage point, and seeing the realities of our nation, we have an opportunity to reexamine ourselves and that path.
By revolutionizing the dietary supplement industry with highly effective nutritional products, we have a unique opportunity here at YOR Health. We now have a preventative solution to some of the most prevalent and growing health concerns facing our world today; along with the ability to offer an extremely promising economic opportunity. And according to statistics, by improving our health alone, we are more likely to improve our financial status as well. (Journal of Economic Perspectives).
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