Why does it take an ailment for many to start getting health conscious?

I'll offer up the most common excuse. It seems everybody is so wrapped up with all the little things in life that they can't seem to find time to focus on their health. As an example, I know how it is be health conscious as I was once when I was young. Recently, I have been in such a rut, fighting fires daily that I don't seem to have time for anything, less excercise to be healthy. I don't even have time to worry about it.
Someday though... I will start to live healthy (or if I hit a low peak, whichever comes first).

I beleive that the main reason is that we think that while we are young, nothing bad can happen to us. As for me, this has never been the case though. My grandfather whom I never met died at the age of 56 from a massive heart attack and then my father passed away at 42 also from a massive heart attack. I've always been conscious of my health and especially my heart health. I try to make sure that our family doesn't eat a lot of junk food and I do have my levels tested when I have physicals as well.
I know that I am not invincible and I want to be here for as long as possible to share life with my children and grandchildren.

It was just like when the swine flu virus ran rampant, everyone ran to the hills like crazy people. I truly don't know how people think. I am hypoglycemic, my mother has high blood pressure, and my father is diabetic. Yet, I don't see them screaming into the doctor's office demanding a cure. As far as the people that don't care about themselves, it's always a mystery. One that Sherlock Holmes can't even solve

yeah it seems all natural for us to give attention to what is bothering us when it is already bothering a lot and sometimes for other people when it is almost impossible to do something about it. it is quite sad that some people take their disease or what they are feeling lightly. it is important that we should consult doctor or deal with the problem as early as possible to make sure that the disease will be treated before it is too late . by this we will save our selves more troubles and expenses in long run.

There's so many possible illnesses out there,that if You started over analysing the probability of you getting something,you'd have yet another problem to deal with-Hypochondria!
If there is a condition with a genetic basis that's known to run in your family,Your doctor could advise you on how to minimise the risks of developing it..Eating Healthy and taking exercise are excellent recommendations to keep your body in reasonable or good shape,but job (or lack of one) and lifestyle choices has turned some into Junk food eating couch potatoes who'd rather veg in front of a TV or computer game rather than go out for a walk or cycle..it can take a lot to pull out of that sort of a dive into ill health..There was a news article on "Britain's fattest Man" in the papers recently who was going into hospital for an operation to curb his weight..His healthcare is currently costing the health service £100,000 a Year,and they needed a specially adapted ambulance to transport him..You don't know if people in this state got there as a result of a medical condition that caused massive weight gain,but the ability for one person to consume a family sized dinner that would feed 4 in one sitting should be a warning signal something's not right..

Many people are too lazy to exercise and many people think that just because they have a physically demanding job they do not have to exercise BUT that is not true because work is NOT exercise.

Life today is fast-paced. There is just so much to juggle in the family, at work, that it undermines our desire or capacity to strike a balance. When people get sick, they get a physiological feedback and that's the only time they realize that life is not only about focus and priority, it has to be about balance. People think that because they don't feel anything bad that their bodies are okay.

Most people when they are young feel that nothing bad can happen to them and they will live forever. The reality hits like a ton of bricks when a health crisis suddenly makes you realize you cannot survive on pop and chips. Parents do not necessarily know how to eat healthy or exercise, so how can they pass it on to their children, in fact they usually pass on their bad habits.