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xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 07:41 AM Jan 2013

U.S. Health Worse Than Nearly All Other Industrialized Countries

http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/us-health-worse-nearly-all-other-industrialized-countries



U.S. citizens suffer from poorer health than nearly all other industrialised countries, according to the first comprehensive government analysis on the subject, released Wednesday.

Of 17 high-income countries looked at by a committee of experts sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the United States is at or near the bottom in at least nine indicators.

These include infant mortality, heart and lung disease, sexually transmitted infections, and adolescent pregnancies, as well as more systemic issues such as injuries, homicides, and rates of disability.

Together, such issues place U.S. males at the very bottom of the list, among those countries, for life expectancy; on average, a U.S. male can be expected to live almost four fewer years than those in the top-ranked country, Switzerland. U.S. females fare little better, ranked 16th out of the 17 high-income countries under review.

“We were stunned by the propensity of findings all on the negative side – the scope of the disadvantage covers all ages, from babies to seniors, both sexes, all classes of society,” Steven H. Woolf, a professor of family medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University and chair of the panel that wrote the report, told IPS.
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U.S. Health Worse Than Nearly All Other Industrialized Countries (Original Post) xchrom Jan 2013 OP
If only we could unleash the forces of free market capitalism on health care... Xipe Totec Jan 2013 #1
+1 xchrom Jan 2013 #2
+2. Nt daa Jan 2013 #16
+3. n/t enlightenment Jan 2013 #26
It's worse than you think. Snarkoleptic Jan 2013 #14
It goes well beyond just health care, it's the cumulative impact of living in a indepat Jan 2013 #24
Off to greatest with you! nt raccoon Jan 2013 #3
the 'uniquely american solution' KG Jan 2013 #4
USA! USA! We're number one in worst outcomes! JoeBlowToo Jan 2013 #5
Yes! And luckily I totally live in America where I can pick my ... LisaLynne Jan 2013 #6
On the other hand, BarbaRosa Jan 2013 #7
best health care on earth? RBitt Jan 2013 #8
blame the insurers, not ACA. mikeysnot Jan 2013 #19
Not only do we not eat as healthy obama2terms Jan 2013 #9
They were "stunned?" What rock have they been under? bread_and_roses Jan 2013 #10
k/r marmar Jan 2013 #11
And yet the great mass delusion persists-- Surya Gayatri Jan 2013 #12
We are still #1 proReality Jan 2013 #21
And will STAY that way kenny blankenship Jan 2013 #13
The US has the most amazing healthcare facilities and professionals! AlbertCat Jan 2013 #15
All classes except the very rich, that is. Must have forgotten that. K&R Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #17
K&R. Overseas Jan 2013 #18
That's because all of the diseased illegal immigrants MindPilot Jan 2013 #20
But our heathcare executives are the best paid jsr Jan 2013 #22
Disgraceful libtodeath Jan 2013 #23
Wait, what? We have the best health care system in the world! ybbor Jan 2013 #25

Xipe Totec

(43,887 posts)
1. If only we could unleash the forces of free market capitalism on health care...
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:18 AM
Jan 2013

Oh, wait...

This IS what happens when you unleash the forces of free market capitalism on health care.

Snarkoleptic

(5,996 posts)
14. It's worse than you think.
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 09:54 AM
Jan 2013

Health insurers are exempt from anti-trust laws and are free to collude in price fixing schemes. (just like Major League Baseball...WTF!!?!?!)
The very existance of this parasite attached to our healthcare delivery system shows how warped our priorities are.


indepat

(20,899 posts)
24. It goes well beyond just health care, it's the cumulative impact of living in a
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 01:26 PM
Jan 2013

right-wing-soused society, the whole garbanzo, the whole enchilada, the cumulative impact of mostly continuing the gipper's voodoo economics at the behest of corporatist government which operates almost wholly to promote the welfare of the most affluent and large corporations at the expense of we the people rather than to promote the general welfare.

 

JoeBlowToo

(253 posts)
5. USA! USA! We're number one in worst outcomes!
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:31 AM
Jan 2013

But you can't choose your doctor in those socialized countries! You have to wait six months to get a tummy tuck!

LisaLynne

(14,554 posts)
6. Yes! And luckily I totally live in America where I can pick my ...
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:35 AM
Jan 2013

doctor from a list that my insurance company gave me.

Hey ... wait ....

RBitt

(80 posts)
8. best health care on earth?
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:44 AM
Jan 2013

Our insurance became un-affordable yesterday. Up 40% since the passage of the Affordable Care act. 11 months until I can shop on the exchange, wish us luck.

obama2terms

(563 posts)
9. Not only do we not eat as healthy
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:49 AM
Jan 2013

But people in other industrialised also have better access to health care than Americans because it doesn't cost a fortune!! We need universal health care

bread_and_roses

(6,335 posts)
10. They were "stunned?" What rock have they been under?
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:50 AM
Jan 2013

We've all been aware of this for - how long now? A goodly time, at any rate. Nor will the much ballyhooded ACA improve things much, if at all. It doesn't touch the root of the problem.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
12. And yet the great mass delusion persists--
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 09:42 AM
Jan 2013

"Murca's got da best of everythin', cludin' Helt Kare!
Wer N°1! F*ck Yeah!

 

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)
15. The US has the most amazing healthcare facilities and professionals!
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 10:08 AM
Jan 2013

But what good is all that if YOU CAN'T GET ACCESS TO THEM because it costs too much for the individual?

None.

 

MindPilot

(12,693 posts)
20. That's because all of the diseased illegal immigrants
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 10:38 AM
Jan 2013

who come to the US to receive free healthcare use it all up so there isn't any left over for real Americans.

I heard it on FOX news so it must be true!

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