Social Networks and Healthcare

I have always believed that the company we keep, as well as our surroundings can influence mental and physical health. A Los Angeles Times article states, U.S. healthcare costs projected to continue to climb. Imagine if we as individuals could find ways to reduce the cost of our own healthcare in the future. Another article written in the LA Times, The contagion of social networks, discusses several scientific studies conducted to identify if our social networks tend to normalize certain behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use and depression. It also found that our social networks, gender, as well as the communities that we live in could influence obesity. These studies are not conclusive yet, and I know that there are certain unavoidable factors that play a part in our medical history but if we as Americans, can start changing our lifestyles it could really save us in the long run when it comes to prescription medications and other healthcare expenses.