Using “microlives” to communicate how your habits may kill you

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A daily loss or gain of 30 minutes can be termed a microlife.

The loss of a single microlife can be associated with:

- smoking two cigarettes
- taking two extra alcoholic drinks
- eating a portion of red meat
- being 5 kg overweight
- watching 2 hours of television a day

Gains are associated with:

- taking a statin daily (1 microlife)
- taking just one alcoholic drink a day (1 microlife)
- 20 minutes of moderate exercise daily (2 microlives)
- a diet including fresh fruit and vegetables daily (4 microlives)

Demographic associations can also be expressed in these units:

- being female rather than male (4 microlives a day)
- Swedish rather than Russian (21 a day for men)
- living in 2010 rather than 1910 (15 a day)

This form of communication allows a general, non-academic audience to make rough but fair comparisons between the sizes of chronic risks, and is based on a metaphor of “speed of ageing,” which has been effective in encouraging cessation of smoking.

The metaphor of speed of ageing and use of the term microlife are intended for popular rather than scientific consumption, but they could also be useful for health professionals. They could perhaps best be communicated with phrases such as “When averaged over a lifetime habit of many people, it is as if each burger were taking 30 minutes off their life.”

References:

Using speed of ageing and “microlives” to communicate the effects of lifetime habits and environment. BMJ 2012;345:e8223.
Image source: OpenClipart.org, public domain.

Comments from Google Plus:

Allan Palmer: Heard this on one of our national radio programs - http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/linking-lifestyle-choices-with-risk/4335556

Seems a really really elegant way of explaining things.?

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WSJ insights on wine blogs – and blogging in general

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What makes bloggers keep on writing?

Most of the bloggers write for "personal satisfaction" since the possibility of making money is quite small - WSJ.

What makes bloggers quit?

There are 1,450 wine blogs but only 18% have been blogging for more than 6 years. A lack of profit potential isn't necessarily the biggest blogger obstacle; time is in even shorter supply.
How do you know if a blogger is any good?

What makes a blogger credible? "Reputation and awards. Design and writing style". Most of all, a blog has to "be about something"

Define a good blogger: Impassioned amateur with genuine curiosity and interesting point of view (and current posts).

83% of wine bloggers cited "passion" as a reason for keeping a blog.

References:

Five Wine Blogs I Really Click With | On Wine by Lettie Teague - WSJ http://on.wsj.com/14HmDxg
Image source: Wikipedia, public domain.

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The Department of Neurology | Neurology

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The Department of Neurology at the NYU Langone Medical Center is dedicated to exceptional patient care, cutting-edge scientific research and outstanding medical education. Multidisciplinary, comprehensive care is standard at NYU Neurology, and is made possible in particular by teams in the NYU Langone Concussion Center, Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, NYU Comprehensive Stroke Care Center and the Pearl I. Barlow Center for Memory Evaluation and Treatment. NYU is also home to one of the finest and most renowned Dysautonomia Centers. Large programs in neuro-ophthalmology, neuromuscular diseases, general neurology, movement disorders and neurogenetics fortify the training experience.

We at NYU Langone Medical Center are fortunate to have state-of-the-art facilities for evaluating patients with neurological diseases, performing the latest clinical and basic science investigations, and training the next generations of physicians and neurologists. Our regional and national referral base and the capacity of our hospitals and new outpatient space ensure that our trainees, faculty, staff and patients have the best possible experience.

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The Department of Neurology | Neurology

Unbelievable footage:Parkinson’s treated with PEMF and Functional Chiropractic Neurology. – Video

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Unbelievable footage:Parkinson #39;s treated with PEMF and Functional Chiropractic Neurology.
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Unbelievable footage:Parkinson's treated with PEMF and Functional Chiropractic Neurology. - Video