editor’s note Editor APRIL 2011, V oLume 16 N umbeR 2 Maria DiDanieli [email protected] (289) 259-1408 • (888) 599-2228 ext. 247 Maria DiDanieli Publisher Christine Livingstone [email protected] (519) 429-5173 • (888) 599-2228 ext. 239 L ast month, a violent earthquake/tsunami/volcano struck Japan. A conse-quence of the onslaught of this natural triumvirate was the technical mal-function of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactor. Nearby residents, and those of neighbouring cities and countries, were, and continue to be, worried about dangerous fallout. We followed the situation not just through the conventional media, but via various modern messaging portals and, as such, we witnessed many details surrounding this story. For instance, even though authorities announced radiation levels from the re-actor were not high enough to warrant panic, people were not convinced; a mis-trust that led them to try and gain control of the situation for themselves. Citizens purchased meters and protective gear and stockpiled pharmaceutical iodine, even taking it, to the dismay of authorities, in dangerous quantities. Many wished to distance themselves completely from potential danger and left the area. Nearby Russians cited vodka and wine as valid ways to boost immunity against radiation, a preventive measure that apparently was put forward after the Chernobyl reactor wreaked havoc in the 1980s. As health care workers, we can take a lesson from these responses to the health threats facing the Japanese people; giving rise to fear for their own future health, and that of their children. They are a harbinger of a shift in public health promo-tion strategy: folks are leaning toward pursuing prevention rather than waiting for illness and disease to occur. But, they also demonstrate that education regarding effective prevention is lacking. The desire to practise prevention – a fundamental component of the chiroprac-tic paradigm – requires foreknowledge of the implications of not doing so. In our day and age, we are quite rich in this foreknowledge. We know that smoking or not exercising can result in dire health consequences; we know that if we do not eat properly, we may add to the chronic illness statistics; we have discovered that many attempts at improving our lives can, instead, lead to deadly environmental sequellae. Through media and the various messaging strategies of our day, the public now knows much about what threatens us, and seems ready for the idea that it is within our power to avoid some, if not most, of these problems. However, good, solid direction regarding prevention that is safe and effective is required. The media and Internet messaging venues alluded to above are among the most powerful tools of our times – even remote areas have access to them, to some ex-tent. It is no longer so difficult to reach out to millions. Therefore, messaging on prevention can be presented effectively and easily by almost anyone – including those in the chiropractic community. Furthermore, a message can be punctuated by crediting its source – for instance, your provincial chiropractic association – to remind folks that DCs are knowledgeable and caring enough to educate the public in prevention of injury and illness. DCs are in a position to harness people’s desire to prevent personal and wide-spread health crisis situations, and to teach them solid strategies for doing so. The time is ripe for it and the opportunities and technology for doing so abound. Can you, and your profession, afford not to become leaders in this? Can the public you have committed to serve afford your silence? We continue to pray for the Japanese people and praise them for their courage and perseverance at this time. • Bien à vous, Sales Assistant Sandy Mels [email protected] (519) 429-5183 • (888) 599-2228 ext. 219 Production Artist Krista Misener Group Publisher Martin McAnulty [email protected] President Mike Fredericks [email protected] Mailing Address P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Drive South, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT., P.O. BOX 530, SIMCOE, ON N3Y 4N5 e-mail: [email protected] Canadian Chiropractor is published eight times a year: February, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and December. Published and printed by Annex Publishing & Printing Inc., 105 Donly Drive South, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 Printed in Canada ISSN 1488-6952 Circulation e-mail: [email protected] Tel: (866) 790-6070 ext. 207 Fax: (877) 624-1940 Mail: P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 Subscription Rates Canada – 1 Year $24.00 (with GST $25.20, with HST/QST $27.12) (GST -#867172652RT0001) USA – 1 Year $35.00 (US Funds) Best pricing is available online at www.canadianchiropractor.ca Occasionally, Canadian Chiropractor will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circula-tion department in any of the four ways listed above. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. ©2011 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication. 6 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | APRIL 2011 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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