Nearly every day is a holiday or commemoration somewhere on Earth. Today, for instance, is Chakri Day, a national holiday in Thailand commemorating the founding of the Chakri Dynasty, the country's ruling monarch. As the holiday falls on a Saturday, banks, commercial and government offices in Thailand will be closed on Monday.
Tomorrow is World Health Day. The global observance has taken on more significance since it was established by the World Health Organization in 1950. Life expectancy in most countries has advanced to the point where more of us are expected to live longer and require health care, raising the dual study of how to stay healthy and how to pay the bill when we're sick. Each year, a theme is selected to highlight an area of concern in public health. This year's theme is high blood pressure, a topic infinitely more relatable than 2011's "Anti-microbial resistance: no action today, no cure tomorrow".
Seriously, hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure and if left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregular heartbeat and heart failure. But it's preventable. Doctors advise reducing salt intake, eating a balanced diet, avoiding the harmful use of alcohol, taking regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding tobacco use.
World Health Day is a celebration for the common good and you needn't wait a whole year for the next one. Earth Day is April 22.
Here's wishing you good health. And Happy Chakri Day.
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