Protecting Your Long-Term Health

It is easy to passively put your health into the hands of doctors and other medical professionals, but it is imperative that you take a proactive approach in ensuring your lifelong health. Although you probably do not have access to advanced medical tools at home, the steps you take on a daily basis are just as important as the tests that doctors perform to ensure your health.

Consider, for example, the case of Australian swimmer Mack Horton. In 2016, Horton competed at the Olympic games in Rio and earned a gold medal in the 400 meter freestyle event. What he missed, however, could have threatened not only his athletic career but his life as well. A fan who was watching the swimming event on TV noticed that one of the moles on Horton's body was different: It looked larger than it had in prior footage of the swimmer. After contacting Horton's coach and medical team, the fan convinced doctors to take a closer look. They decided to remove the suspicious mole to avoid a potentially fatal form of skin cancer.

Take a lesson from Horton's story and be proactive in guarding your own health. Do not underestimate the life-changing impact that the small steps you take can have on your long-term health. As the saying goes: "Every little bit helps."