What do we deserve?
If we’re unwilling to take care of ourselves, should we expect others to take care of us instead?
For example: If we’re eating large portions of unhealthy food and it ends up damaging our liver, do we then deserve a medication that helps save the liver even if we’re unwilling to change our eating habits?
And what’s the point of saving the liver if those same unhealthy eating habits go on to damage other parts of the body, like our hearts?
These are the questions at stake with NASH, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a disease of the liver associated with fatty deposits from food.
Recently, some major organizations have been asking these same questions… and the answer seems to be that people deserve what they’re willing to pay for. Pharma companies are developing treatments for NASH because none currently exist and it could mean a big pay day. The disease is estimated to affect 25 million Americans. If everyone in America with NASH gets treatment, it could cost $115 billion a year. And we’re not even talking about a cure.
Do people deserve this treatment, though, if they continue to live an unhealthy lifestyle?
If you say no, are you saying they deserve to die?
If you’re one of the millions with NASH, which is potentially fatal, then surely you’ll want a treatment. But are you also willing and able to make lifestyle changes?
