Good Health Is Essential To The Good Life.

"Health is Wealth" This Victorian proverb is as timely today as when it fell from the lips of our forebears. In their day, grinding poverty and its traveling companion, hunger, threatened their health and our ancestors rarely had access to quality medical care. Such straits made them dream of a day--this day--when their descendents would enjoy wealth and the health that comes with it.

But the converse of the proverb is not true: wealth does not always translate into health. In fact, improperly used wealth can sabotage health. Although the failures of the American health care system are largely to blame for our alarming health profile, there are risks that we can control. These risks are directly attributable to lifestyles fueled by bad spending choices.

We know that a penchant for conspicuous consumption can endanger one's financial health. Flashing a Rolex, wearing Armani and driving a Porsche do not argue well for your fiscal profile if your savings are depleted and your debt is burgeoning.

Similarly, conspicuous consumption is threatening our physical health. The top killers of African Americans are preventable, controllable disorders in which lifestyle--diet, exercise, stress reduction, sexual and drug-taking behavior--plays the paramount role. According to the National Center for Vital Statistics, our age-adjusted death rates exceed those for the white population for heart disease (by 47 percent), stroke (by 77 percent), for cancer (by 34 percent), and for HIV (by 66 percent). A yawning gulf separates the good health of whites from the Third World health profile of the average African American. But we can change this.

Among the areas within our control are:

DIET We have been busily replacing our great grandparents' modest diet rich in fresh vegetables grains and fruits with fatty processed foods that are high in salt, sugar and carcinoganic adulterants. This diet makes the average African American one and half times faster than his white compatriot and fuels our stroke, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and heart disease rates.

SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE Our forbears ate fatty foods, too, but they worked hard, walked everywhere and danced, jumped, and played games for recreation. In contrast, too many of us spend our days smacking in front of our HDTVs or state-of-the-art computers. Our children play on video screens, not outside. The labor-saving devices of the home--remote controls, food processors, garage door openers--protect us from the slightest exertion. Even off the couch, we let status and convenience, not health consideration, dictate our choices. We choose golf carts over walking and escalators over stairs, then we pursue dangerous weight-loss drugs and surgeries.

STRESS MANAGEMENT Within a few generations, we've managed to leave the backbreaking labor of the fields for the boardroom but, ironically, our ancestors' approach to work was healthier. Together, they tackled hard work that began and ended with the sun, shared their resources and they rented every seventh day, which was devoted to spiritual and social renewal.

But competition and alienation have replaced the old sense of community. Even the occupational strides of which we are rightfully proud have exposed us to new kinds of stress. There is the threat of veiled workplace racism, sexism, and of market insecurities. Today, many find that they are nearly always "on the job," thanks to the corporate umbilicals of cell phones, pagers, emails, faxes and off-hours "networking opportunities". Dangerous approaches to stress reduction include daily tranquilizer use, tobacco, overeating, alcohol, and even illicit drugs.

SEXUAL Today, physicians routinely advise that mutually monogamous sex is the best protection against HIV infection, hepatitis, and the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that drive African Americans' high rates of cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Because African American AIDS rates are ten times greater than whites', we should take this advice to heart.

DRUGS "Recreational" drugs, legal and illegal come in an unparalleled variety today. Unfortunately, drugs follow fashions that boost their cachet, from the cocaine of the 80s to the cigars and microbrewery beers of the 90s. Although white and black Americans abuse drugs at the same rates, drugs wreak more physical havoc on African Americans.

ACCESS TO CARE Do your research before picking a plan or a physician, just as you would research a new company or offering: after all, your health is your most valuable asset. And on you have chosen a physician and health plan, use them. See your doctor regularly, especially if you have a chronic condition or are pregnant.

In short, when it comes to pairing wealth and health, the smart money goes to a carefully selected health plan and physician, gym membership, healthy stress reducers such as yoga and acupuncture, spiritual sustenance, a healthy diet and real, not virtual sports. This issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE will show you how your wealth can build health.

Genentech, Inc. In Business for Life

The most significant evaluation of our performance in everything we do is its impact on improving the human condition.

Who we are and what we do: Genentech, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets human pharmaceuticals for significant unmet medical needs. Serious or life-threatening medical conditions such as breast cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, heart attack, cystic fibrosis and growth failure are addressed by the eight products Genentech directly markets in the United States.

Our mission: We commit ourselves to high standards of integrity contributing to the best interests of patients, the medical profession and our employees.

Our philosophy and values: "Genentech's unique culture is no accident. At the very beginning we planned to bring the best characteristics of an academic environment to the Genentech corporate culture. We hired the most competent, enthusiastic people we could find, providing a stimulating, challenging, yet supportive environment, and encouraged publications, peer interaction, and open communication. That tradition of looking for the best people, the right people, and encouraging their creativity has been what makes Genentech `work'. I take great pride in their dedication and enthusiasm and their significant contributions to science and human health."--Herbert W. Boyer, Ph.D., Genentech Co-founder

Meeting a crucial need. Genentech believes that all patients should have access to needed medications regardless of their ability to pay. Since initiating a number of programs to assist uninsured or underinsured patients in the United States, we have provided more than $275 million worth of pharmaceuticals--free of charge--to these patients. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.gene.com

The disparity in health is real. African Americans die, on average, seven years earlier than their white counterparts. That African Americans suffer from significantly higher death rates in nearly every major disease category is well documented. Much of this disparity can be attributed to reduced access to proper healthcare. African Americans are far less likely, for example, to get certain tests and treatments that may be indicated by their conditions as often as whites in identical medical situations. This is compounded by social and cultural factors like the higher rate of uninsured among African Americans, lower literacy and greater distrust of the medical establishment.

A key aspect in reducing this disparity is through education. This can be achieved through increasing the community's access to knowledge and products needed to help them achieve optimal healthy states. A second and vital aspect is to support and ensure the viability of community-based organizations that have been very successful in reaching members of the community through their programs.

Colorful Living is a unique partnership that brings together manufactures of health products and Community-Based Health Organizations to promote access to health information and products, as well as, improve compliance with disease management.

Colorful Living will fund a foundation, "The Harmony Health Foundation" whose mission is to provide a continuous source of funding for community-based health organizations. A board consisting of physicians, ministers and other community leaders are charged with administering the Foundation.

Bayer Diagnostics, makers of blood glucose testing equipment and other diagnostic products has provided the initial funding to launch this important venture to help address the management of diabetes. Other disease areas will subsequently be addressed.

If you would like to know more or participate in this partnership, please call [phone].