January 5, 2009 9:52AM

Was It Really So Hard to Fess Up on Steve Jobs’s Health?

By Ray Hennessey

Apple today released a letter from CEO Steve Jobs that lays out the state of his health. In a nutshell, Jobs is ill, but with what he describes as a "hormone imbalance that has been 'robbing' me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy." That is what has driven his weight loss over the past year.

Treatment is simple, Jobs says, and he expects to recover by late Spring.

Most important for investors: he will remain Apple's CEO during that time.

Apple had been criticized, even here, for not disclosing the state of Jobs's health, amid legitimate questions over his fitness to lead the company. Apple had declined to address the issue, saying they would "let us know" if he were unable to serve as CEO.

That approach only fueled more speculation, and, in some cases, wild rumors -- which accelerated over the past few weeks. Jobs, after all, is a rare survivor of pancreatic cancer.

Now, Apple can put those rumors to rest. Jobs is indeed ill, but with something that is highly treatable. His illness is not expected to interfere with his role. Those are details vital to shareholders, despite Jobs still saying his health is "very personal." 

Good for Apple for finally addressing the issue.