In affluent societies, cancer, heart disease, addiction, AIDS and other maladies continue to be challenges and health care costs soar. In less affluent and poor societies, these problems are exponentially worse. Disease is often endemic, combining with other problems to cause death for millions and suffering for billions.

ALTHOUGH THE WORLD IS FULL OF SUFFERING, IT IS ALSO FULL OF THE OVERCOMING OF IT. HELEN KELLER


Disease is part of life. Like death, it cannot be avoided. But disease can often be prevented or treated to the degree our knowledge expands and we are compassionate in allocating resources. Like all great issues facing humanity, disease is part of an interrelated dynamic. Finite resources, growing populations, hunger, environmental impact, all contribute to disease and lack of allocation for health care. Increasingly, disease knows no borders. Furthermore, disease is often linked to a deadly combination of our own choices and the choices of others to profit from our weaknesses. Alcohol, drugs and tobacco may well cause more illness and death, as well as personal, family and social tragedy, than any other factors. Mental illness, emotional stress and our willingness to avoid or face problems are also critical issues. Disease reminds us that helping others and helping ourselves always ends up being the same thing.