Can laws influence incidence of chronic illness - Essay Example

Can laws influence incidence of chronic illness? al affiliation Can laws influence incidence of chronic illness? According to the world health organization, obesity is slowly becoming a global epidemic (Meetoo, 2010). Obesity affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their social or economic status. Globalization has been among the main reasons for the prevalence of this global epidemic. The world has become a global village and this has had both positive and negative effects on health care.

Among the positive effects is that there has been improved health care and reduced mortality rates all over the globe. However, globalization has also aided the spread of obesogenic foods and this has led to lack of consumption of traditional nutritious foods (Meetoo, 2010). Enacting laws is one of the methods that can help stop the prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases. This paper will look at the how enacting laws can help reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases and whether enacting such laws is ethical.

A recent research suggests that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths (Meetoo, 2010). However, this is despite the various public awareness efforts and the laws that have been enacted over the years to stop this. Obesity and chronic diseases are likely to be the leading causes of preventable death in the future if proper measures are not taken to address this menace (Meetoo, 2010). The United States of America government over the years has enacted strict laws to help reduce cigarette smoking.

The tobacco control act is one of such legislations whose main aims include; making tobacco products more expensive, preventing people from starting using tobacco and helping those already using tobacco products to stop. These laws have had a small effect on controlling the use of tobacco products. However, this effect cannot go unnoticed, as it has helped save many people’s lives. The government should embark on enacting laws to help reduce the prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases. In addition to raising public awareness on the issue, laws will go a long way in reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases and ensure it does not become the leading cause of preventable death.

The laws should mainly target at the marketing strategies used by fast food outlets, branding and labeling of fast foods. The sale of soft drinks and fast food products around and in schools should also be prohibited. The government should also make sure that nutritious foods are subsidized to make sure they are affordable regardless of one’s economic status (Meetoo, 2010). Is it ethical to enact laws that are aimed at curtailing the prevalence of obesity and other chronic diseases? It is important to know that obesity and chronic related deaths can be preventable through changes in lifestyle.

When debating such an issue the theory of utilitarianism will come in handy. According to this theory, we should base our actions and judgments based on the consequences that will result thereafter (Meetoo, 2010). It is unethical to let people suffer, die and lose their loved ones through diseases that can be prevented. It is also unethical to allow marketers use unorthodox was of marketing their products, which eventually affects the consumer’s ability to make informed and well-thought decisions.

In this regard, I think it is safe to say that it is ethical to enact laws that will help to curb the prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases. ReferenceMeetoo, D. (2010). The imperative of human obesity: an ethical reflection. British journal of nursing, 19(9), 563-568.