British Medical Journal - Failing health of the United States. A complete shambles

[Anonymous]

http://www.bmj.com/content/360/bmj.k496

Just published.

In 1960, Americans had the highest life expectancy, 2.4 years higher than the average for countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). But the US started losing ground in the 1980s. US life expectancy fell below the OECD average in 1998, plateaued in 2012, and is now 1.5 years lower than the OECD average.

That is absolutely shocking. Truly shocking.

It also found that many factors contribute to the health disadvantage; for example, Americans are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors (such as heavy caloric intake, drug abuse, and firearm ownership), live in cities designed for cars rather than pedestrians or cyclists, have weaker social welfare supports, and lack universal health insurance.

America the great!

In theory, policy makers jolted by the shortening lifespan of Americans would hasten to correct these conditions. They would promote education, boost support for children and families, increase wages and economic opportunity for the working class, invest in distressed communities, and strengthen healthcare and behavioral health systems. But the pro-business policy agenda favored by elected officials rarely prioritizes these needs. On the contrary, recent legislation and regulations may prolong or intensify the economic burden on the middle class and weaken access to healthcare and safety net programs.

Ironically, leaders are outspoken about ending the opioid epidemic and bemoan spiraling and unsustainable healthcare costs. Solutions to both problems—which involve investment to support struggling families and communities and thereby improve public health—are often rejected, usually by leaders with competing self interests or ideological objections. The consequences of these choices are dire: not only more deaths and illness but also escalating healthcare costs, a sicker workforce, and a less competitive economy. Future generations may pay the greatest price.

MAGA!

These “deaths of despair,” as some have called them, are disproportionately affecting white Americans.....Why white Americans are dying at higher rates from drugs, alcohol, and suicides is unclear, complex, and not explained by opioids alone. The answer—likely some combination of factors in American life—must explain why the rise in mortality is greatest in white, middle aged adults and certain rural communities....distress among white

MAGA MAGA MAGA!

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is shocking. What educated Americans don't already know this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is shocking. What educated Americans don't already know this?

Yep. Plenty of us see the problems, but our political process is owned by corporate America now, and corporations act in their own self-interest, not that of people. I would argue it's the amorality of corporations that is leading to our demise. The processed food we eat, the car-centric nature of our communities, the cost and lack of access to healthcare, all stem from corporate interests. And we go along with it, like lambs to the slaughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is shocking. What educated Americans don't already know this?

I think the shocking part is the magnitude of change. To go from 2.4 years higher than the oecd average life expectancy in 1960 to 1.5 years LESS than the average in 60 years is mind blowing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is shocking. What educated Americans don't already know this?

I think the shocking part is the magnitude of change. To go from 2.4 years higher than the oecd average life expectancy in 1960 to 1.5 years LESS than the average in 60 years is mind blowing.

Nor really/ In 1960 many of the nations the USA was compared to were still recovering from WW 2 since that time many of those nations have successfully implemented changes that benefit the health and welfare of their citizens while the US has actively worked against this. Garbage in garbage out, expecting to still be at the top while operating at BS levels is what is mind-blowing.

[Anonymous]

Sad!

[Anonymous]

I'm in healthcare and trends that I have seen in the last 30 years that worsens life expectancy are:
Alcohol!!! way too much. Young people come to work talking more and more about what they drink on the weekends. To much jabber about "craft" beer and nightly glasses of wine. Almost as if they think it makes them sound more sophisticated.
Heroin, fentanyl, and the oxys.
OBESITY.
Extreme sports and cyclists.
Smoking tobacco is about the same.
Smoking marijuana is more common.
Suicide, depression and a general dissatisfaction with life. Yong people expecting too much early on and walking away from the basic principles. Disconnected from family and religion. Like they want these amazing lives and anything less is a failure.

[Anonymous]

Smoking tobacco is about the same.

As thirty years ago? No effing way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Smoking tobacco is about the same.

As thirty years ago? No effing way.

I think so. It is at the stubborn 20%. They can't get it down.
That said, access to health care does not seem to be the issue. People who have access are still dying younger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Smoking tobacco is about the same.

As thirty years ago? No effing way.

I think so. It is at the stubborn 20%. They can't get it down.
That said, access to health care does not seem to be the issue. People who have access are still dying younger.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/11/12/smoking-among-u-s-adults-has-fallen-to-historic-lows-these-7-charts-show-who-still-lights-up-the-most/?utm_term=.ac127d4b1f59

[Anonymous]

It did kind of level off for the last 20 years

[Anonymous]

The rate of tobacco smoking is down; however, there are lots of us who were exposed to high levels of smoking when we were kids. In my parents's generation I knew several women who were non-smokers who died of lung cancer. That second hand exposure did lots of damage. Most cities only did away with smoking in bars and restaurants in the past 15-20 years. This, coupled with the way we're destroying our environment, is a cause of health issues. All you have to do is drive around the DMV and note how many trees are hacked down every day to make way for development.

[Anonymous]

Obesity.

Americans on a whole are hugely obese. Biggest health factor—diabetes, heart disease and cancer all related.

Add in opioids killing in large numbers.

No surprises.

We also have found horrible, shitty healthcare from even top docs and hospitals—mistakes on meds, hospital born infections, misdiagnosis, not a multidisciplinary approach so different specialists clash and conflict treatment.

It’s a shamble.

[Anonymous]

The British love to talk about US healthcare. Why? Because they are insecure and the NHS is in shambles. Yes, there are issues with US healthcare but a different set of issues than in the UK. The British often face lengthy wait times and substandard care for serious conditions. The NHS is great if you have a common illness or ailment. NOT when you have breast cancer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The British love to talk about US healthcare. Why? Because they are insecure and the NHS is in shambles. Yes, there are issues with US healthcare but a different set of issues than in the UK. The British often face lengthy wait times and substandard care for serious conditions. The NHS is great if you have a common illness or ailment. NOT when you have breast cancer.

You are so wrong. We know at least three women in the UK (friends/family) who had breast cancer and were treated by the NHS. Life threatening issues are taken care of immediately.

I posted earlier, but seems that post disappeared. UK has NHS AND private insurance, AND the cost of medical care paying out of pocket is much much cheaper than here. So, the people we know there use NHS for common ailments and urgent care issues, but for things they don't want to wait for that are not life threatening, they pay private, and it's much more affordable. Plus, they don't pay the ridiculous health insurance premiums like we do (our's is $1500/mo for a high deductible plan HMO). I would MUCH prefer their system of public plus private than what we have, which is basically the poor get free care, the rich can afford anything, and those of us in the middle get screwed.

And before ACA, there were lifetime max caps and pre-existing condition clauses. NHS has none of that.