Education is a key to good health
Chancellor David Wilson and University of Wisconsin System Regent Thomas Loftus discuss the university's role in addressing health issues. Loftus served as special advisor to the director general of the World Health Organization from 1998 to 2005. He was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature for 14 years, serving as speaker of the Assembly for eight years. While in the Assembly he was co-chair of the Health and Social Services Committee and co-authored and cosponsored numerous bills focusing on health-care issues.
David Wilson, chancellor, UW Colleges and UW-Extension
WILSON: In your opinion, what are some of the most pressing health-related challenges facing Wisconsin?
LOFTUS: Wisconsin, the nation and the world have one challenge above all—smoking and the chronic diseases that stem from it. It is particularly a problem for young girls. Early-onset diabetes is another. There, the answer is diet and exercise. Research shows that exercise can stave off the onset of diabetes and keep it under control. Mental health is a third challenge. So many people are misdiagnosed and underserved. There is a disconnect between what we know, what happens in professional practice, and what's accessible to the public. Education can make a difference.
WILSON: UW-Extension has a successful record of connecting university research to emerging needs. What can we do in areas related to health?
LOFTUS: I was born on a farm, and I remember the extension agent coming to our farm. That's exactly the model. Much research doesn't get to the user. In this case, the users are doctors, nurses, nutritionists and other professionals. The question is whether our research is useful for them. The first great successes against smoking occurred when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health organizations went after the doctors, encouraging them to change their own behavior.
Thomas Loftus, UW regent
WILSON: UW-Extension has a successful record of connecting university research to emerging needs. What can we do in areas related to health?
LOFTUS: I was born on a farm, and I remember the extension agent coming to our farm. That's exactly the model. Much research doesn't get to the user. In this case, the users are doctors, nurses, nutritionists and other professionals. The question is whether our research is useful for them. The first great successes against smoking occurred when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health organizations went after the doctors, encouraging them to change their own behavior.
WILSON: Is there a correlation between health and the economy?
LOFTUS: It's rather simple: The more education you have, the healthier you are. People with less education and lower income cannot afford to seek help, and may not even understand what's happening to them. Good economies produce good public health.