U.S. Leads in Health Care Spending, But Is Last for Health Outcomes Among Rich Nations

[Scott]

 

TUESDAY, Jan. 31, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The United States spends up to four times more on health care than most wealthy nations, but it doesn't have much to show for it.

 

Life expectancy in America continues to decline even though this country spends nearly 18% of its gross domestic product on health care, according to a new report from the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.

 

“The U.S. stands out as the only nation in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] without universal health coverage, our life expectancy is dropping, and we have higher rates of avoidable deaths than other nations,” said report author Munira Gunja

 

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-31/u-s-leads-in-health-care-spending-but-is-last-for-health-outcomes-among-rich-nations

[heybruce]

This is something informed people have known for years.  For people who watch Faux News and think pundits are reporters, this is new information that they won't believe.

[Tug]

And just who fights health care reform tooth and nail?………why it’s the republicans and one (independent) senator just think folks they are supposed to work for us 

[placeholder]

What makes it even worse is that coverage in the US isn't even universal, unlike the nations it's being compared to, and still it costs nearly twice as much as the average cost 

[thaibeachlovers]

Obesity tends to kill people earlier than expected and causes heart, joint and diabetic problems. The US is apparently quite obese- need I say more on that?

 

I'm sure that the US has the most advanced health care on the planet, but only for those that can afford it, or have excellent insurance.

[Credo]

8 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Obesity tends to kill people earlier than expected and causes heart, joint and diabetic problems. The US is apparently quite obese- need I say more on that?

 

I'm sure that the US has the most advanced health care on the planet, but only for those that can afford it, or have excellent insurance.

The US health care is excellent, but it is not easy to access, even with insurance.  The insurance company decides what doctor you can see and if he refers you to a specialist, they have to approve.  The upshot is that many people just forego preventative or early treatment.  Preventative care is really far down the list. 

 

Michelle Obama put a lot of effort in to seeing that students were provided with healthy choices.  They were also able to start school with a simple, but nutritious breakfast -- a large sort of parfait with a small container of healthy cereal that could be mixed with yoghurt.   

 

It was an uphill battle since under Trump the guidelines on sugar, sodium and other items were dropped and schools were allowed to work with big industry to provide things like French Fries, pizza and a multitude of sugary items.    Schools also allowed soda dispensers in schools so students could have things like Coke etc.   

Many years ago, we had the school lunch program.  Each meal included a small amount of meat, one or two vegetables, maybe mashed potatoes and gravy.  The meals were designed by the Home Economics teacher to be balanced.  There was also a small desert.  Oh, and we always had milk -- a big dispenser with all the milk you could drink.   On Friday, we had fish (in deference to the Catholics).   We went through a serving line, and we could refuse anything we didn't want, BUT if you took it, the cafeteria monitor was responsible to see you ate it.  When you brought your tray up, it was empty, or you sat down and finished your meal.  Wasting food was not on the menu.   

 

Every once in a while we'd get a 'fun' meal -- something like macaroni and cheese or hot dogs, but that was a treat.  

In my class, out of over 40 students, we had exactly one who was 'fat' and he was nowhere near obese.  As a matter of fact, I don't recall any other kids in the entire high school who were fat.  I remember the coach trying to 'bulk up' the football players.   

 

[heybruce]

1 hour ago, Credo said:

The US health care is excellent, but it is not easy to access, even with insurance.  The insurance company decides what doctor you can see and if he refers you to a specialist, they have to approve.  The upshot is that many people just forego preventative or early treatment.  Preventative care is really far down the list. 

 

Michelle Obama put a lot of effort in to seeing that students were provided with healthy choices.  They were also able to start school with a simple, but nutritious breakfast -- a large sort of parfait with a small container of healthy cereal that could be mixed with yoghurt.   

 

It was an uphill battle since under Trump the guidelines on sugar, sodium and other items were dropped and schools were allowed to work with big industry to provide things like French Fries, pizza and a multitude of sugary items.    Schools also allowed soda dispensers in schools so students could have things like Coke etc.   

Many years ago, we had the school lunch program.  Each meal included a small amount of meat, one or two vegetables, maybe mashed potatoes and gravy.  The meals were designed by the Home Economics teacher to be balanced.  There was also a small desert.  Oh, and we always had milk -- a big dispenser with all the milk you could drink.   On Friday, we had fish (in deference to the Catholics).   We went through a serving line, and we could refuse anything we didn't want, BUT if you took it, the cafeteria monitor was responsible to see you ate it.  When you brought your tray up, it was empty, or you sat down and finished your meal.  Wasting food was not on the menu.   

 

Every once in a while we'd get a 'fun' meal -- something like macaroni and cheese or hot dogs, but that was a treat.  

In my class, out of over 40 students, we had exactly one who was 'fat' and he was nowhere near obese.  As a matter of fact, I don't recall any other kids in the entire high school who were fat.  I remember the coach trying to 'bulk up' the football players.   

 

I agree the availability of junk food is contributing to obesity, but I think for young people the biggest problem is the obsession with electronics.  Playing used to mean going outside and doing something physically active; now children think you are committing child abuse if you tell them to put down the phone and do something physical.

[Credo]

10 hours ago, heybruce said:

I agree the availability of junk food is contributing to obesity, but I think for young people the biggest problem is the obsession with electronics.  Playing used to mean going outside and doing something physically active; now children think you are committing child abuse if you tell them to put down the phone and do something physical.

There is no doubt that electronics are exacerbating the problem, but before that it was television.   It's all a part of living in a digital age.   There are precious limited places available for children to get exercise.  It's simply not safe for kids to get on their bike and ride around exploring the neighborhood.  There aren't places for those impromptu basketball/football game that happened some years back.  

[Tug]

16 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Obesity tends to kill people earlier than expected and causes heart, joint and diabetic problems. The US is apparently quite obese- need I say more on that?

 

I'm sure that the US has the most advanced health care on the planet, but only for those that can afford it, or have excellent insurance.

All during my working career I lived in terror of needing the health care system knowing full well I was one illness or doctor bill away from making my family homeless and losing everything I worked so hard to achieve that isent right that is wrong double wrong in a nation as wealthy as the USA that might have something to do with the statistics not all are as fat as you imagine sorry to disappoint you 

[John Drake]

On 2/2/2023 at 9:45 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Obesity tends to kill people earlier than expected and causes heart, joint and diabetic problems. The US is apparently quite obese- need I say more on that?

 

I'm sure that the US has the most advanced health care on the planet, but only for those that can afford it, or have excellent insurance.

Interesting statistics on obesity here https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity

 

Blacks lead in obesity, followed by Hispanics, Whites, and Asians. But the first three groups are just a percentage or two apart, except for the extreme high among black females. For children (2 to 19 years old), the gaps seem more severe, with hispanics, then blacks, whites and Asians. For some reason, they separated Mexican-Americans out of "Hispanics" and MexAm set apart have the largest amount of obesity by far. Sure, part of the reason is that trash foods are easier to fix and cheaper to buy. Couch potatoism is another factor. But so is the entire car dependent lifestyle. Stores and shopping centers, along with schools, aren't within walking or biking distances. The entire country has become addicted to the automobile. You can blame it on suburbia, but in fact people first moved to the suburbs because there was more room to live, play, and relax. From the 50s through the 70s, exercise in the suburbs, especially for children, wasn't a problem. Today, it's a fat farm.

Edited February 3, 2023 by John Drake

[BritManToo]

On 2/1/2023 at 7:56 AM, Scott said:

Life expectancy in America continues to decline even though this country spends nearly 18% of its gross domestic product on health care, according to a new report from the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.

That's because the insurance company keeps the money you spend on healthcare as profit.

In fact I believe the number is 23% of all premiums go to the insurance company.

[Chomper Higgot]

Amongst the many problems of US health care is the fractured nature of provision.

 

Health and welfare services are not integrated, preventative medicine practice is reliant upon individuals choosing to engage and that’s dependent upon them individually having the finances/insurance to do so.

 

By contrast, a patient on the UK’s NHS  being treated for life threatening health conditions will be provided with a full suite of health and welfare services, including home welfare assessments before discharge and home health visits during recovery. The patient is given the care they need not the care they can afford. Better health outcomes are the result.

[vandeventer]

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

Interesting statistics on obesity here https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity

 

Blacks lead in obesity, followed by Hispanics, Whites, and Asians. But the first three groups are just a percentage or two apart, except for the extreme high among black females. For children (2 to 19 years old), the gaps seem more severe, with hispanics, then blacks, whites and Asians. For some reason, they separated Mexican-Americans out of "Hispanics" and MexAm set apart have the largest amount of obesity by far. Sure, part of the reason is that trash foods are easier to fix and cheaper to buy. Couch potatoism is another factor. But so is the entire car dependent lifestyle. Stores and shopping centers, along with schools, aren't within walking or biking distances. The entire country has become addicted to the automobile. You can blame it on suburbia, but in fact people first moved to the suburbs because there was more room to live, play, and relax. From the 50s through the 70s, exercise in the suburbs, especially for children, wasn't a problem. Today, it's a fat farm.

It must be a thing of the times. When I first came to Thailand 22 years ago it was hard to find a fat girl, but now every time I go into Makro It's very hard to find a skinny one.

[John Drake]

1 minute ago, vandeventer said:

It must be a thing of the times. When I first came to Thailand 22 years ago it was hard to find a fat girl, but now every time I go into Makro It's very hard to find a skinny one.

I do think the US is a lead indicator of what is to come for many other countries. Whatever Thailand's problem, and you're right, fat kids are becoming a problem here, too, I at least see them out and about. On bikes mostly, but some walking, when they aren't on scooters.

[Isaan sailor]

17 hours ago, Credo said:

There is no doubt that electronics are exacerbating the problem, but before that it was television.   It's all a part of living in a digital age.   There are precious limited places available for children to get exercise.  It's simply not safe for kids to get on their bike and ride around exploring the neighborhood.  There aren't places for those impromptu basketball/football game that happened some years back.  

Absolutely right.  The best thing we had as kids was our bicycle—because it meant great freedom, pick up team sports and adventure.  We knew enough to be home for dinner by sundown.  In winter, we’d go sledding and skiing until dark.  Didn’t know too many fat kids…

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

That's because the insurance company keeps the money you spend on healthcare as profit.

In fact I believe the number is 23% of all premiums go to the insurance company.

As far as Obamacare goes, that's not the case. The law requires that 80 percent of payments go to health care. The other 20% goes for administrative costs and profits.

https://www.healthcare.gov/health-care-law-protections/rate-review/

[Scott]

Off-topic post and replies removed.