Ice Bucket Challenged

Since the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge made big headlines over the summer, I've heard a number of people talking about this infographic about where people are donating their money these days.

 

At first glance it looks like we ought to be donating more to heart disease, COPD, and diabetes. People on social media have been echoing that idea, but I think most of those fools are missing the point. There's a reason that cancers get the most funding - nobody chooses to get cancer.

Heart disease stems from a lack of exercise.

COPD is caused by smoking.

Diabetes is the result of poor diet and lack of exercise. 

The bottom line is that people really don't like to donate to causes when simply eating better or going out for a daily run could drastically reduce the prevalence and mortality of these diseases.

The more effective way to cure all of the above would be to get consistent funding, which is regularly being slashed by North American governments. If only this issue received the same media attention, advances might be made decades sooner. Meanwhile, I'm gonna hit the gym to stave off life threatening issues, so keep keep those Benjamins tucked in your pockets...