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Title: HEALTH DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERICANS & EUROPEANS
Source:
doctorwascher.com
URL Source: http://doctorwascher.com/Archives/2-22-09.htm
Published: Feb 22, 2009
Author: Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS
Post Date: 2009-11-02 16:41:11 by Destro
Keywords: None
Views: 2078
Comments: 150
By, Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS Last Updated: 02/22/2009 HEALTH DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERICANS & EUROPEANS I have commented before about the striking discordance between the amount of money that we spend on health care in the United States and the health outcomes that we achieve with all of those dollars. At more than $2 trillion dollars per year, or more than $7,000 per citizen per year, the U.S. spends more on health care than virtually every other country in the world. One would, therefore, assume that all of those trillions of health care dollars would translate into a globally unsurpassed level of health and wellbeing in America. However, one would actually be mistaken in this assumption, as the United States lags behind many other countries of the world, including a few relatively underdeveloped countries, in several very important public health benchmarks. As if this were not bad enough, the world’s richest nation has an estimated 47 million uninsured citizens, with millions more possessing utterly inadequate health insurance coverage (millions of us in this country are just one serious illness away from financial ruin). Health care reform in the United States continues to be a political “third rail,” although virtually all stakeholders are in agreement that our healthcare system is dysfunctional and inefficient, and that it offers the American people very poor value for their money. However, there is considerable disagreement regarding the root causes that underlie the acknowledged deficiencies in our health care system, which means that there is also pervasive disagreement regarding the best interventions to undertake. Amidst the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and with no end in sight to the ongoing Not-Quite-As-Great-Depression, it is unclear whether or not the fledgling Obama Administration will be able to assemble the political capital and the will to wade into the treacherous waters of health care reform within the foreseeable future. A new research study, just published in the American Journal of Public Health, provides a rather stark comparison between the health status of rich and poor adults in the United States and Europe. In this study, more than 17,000 adults between the ages of 50 and 74 years were interviewed from among 10 European countries. Nearly 7,000 Americans of similar age were also interviewed for this study. The researchers assessed these 24,000 middle-aged and elderly adults for 6 chronic illnesses that are commonly accepted as indicators of the overall health of a society. In general, the American adults reported poorer overall health than their European counterparts. While the differences in health between the two groups of adults were, not surprisingly, more pronounced among poorer patients, even the wealthier Americans reported more problems with their health when compared to wealthy Europeans. At the same time, the gap in health status between rich and poor was much smaller among Europeans than was observed among the American patients who participated in this study. (As a striking example of the health disparities between Americans and Europeans, heart disease, the number one cause of death in most developed countries, was present in 18 percent of Americans, but in only 11 percent of Europeans, in this study.) This study puts some important numbers on health trends that have become increasingly obvious over the past few decades. When comparing health outcomes between two populations of patients that live in similarly modern, industrialized, and western societies, the United States fares very poorly, indeed. Our nation’s focus on disease prevention is haphazard and poorly executed, resulting in unacceptably high rates of preventable diseases and disease-related complications. Rather than investing our nation’s wealth in disease prevention and screening programs, we, instead, backload our inefficient and byzantine health care system with trillions of dollars, every year, to treat the complications of diseases that are, in many cases, almost entirely preventable. European countries spend, on average, only 50 to 60 percent as much on health care, per capita, as we do here in the United States, and yet their health outcomes frequently exceed ours in multiple critical areas of public health. While we may not all agree on every detail, almost all of us agree that our health care system is fundamentally broken, and that we cannot go on with “business as usual” any longer. Despite the ongoing implosion of the economy, we must somehow find the will and the foresight to overhaul our current fractured and wasteful health care system, including a much greater emphasis on promoting healthful lifestyle habits, and improved disease prevention and screening programs. As the average age of our population continues to rise, our ongoing failure to step up to the plate and fix our dysfunctional health care system will, increasingly, cost our nation dearly. Poster Comment: Doctor Wascher's Biography@ http://doctorwascher.com/Doctor%20Wascher%20Bio%20-%202008.htm
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#6. To: Cynicom (#2)
So your contention is America's healthcare is OK for the white guy and that is how you like it? LOL!
"We have oil. We have Putin - all that Russians think they need." - Vladimir Dubin, senior researcher at the Moscow-based Levada Centre.
That's OK, tea party pig - I got Goldie banned as well. Also, this article is written by an American doctor and former Army colonel: In 2006, Dr. Wascher retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel, and was appointed as the Director of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. So I guess he is an anti-America traitor to Europe as well? Loser LPer trying to make up an excuse why Dr. Wascher, a smarter and more accomplished man than you is wrong. What other trailer park wisdom are you going to throw down to discredit this accomplished doctor?
"We have oil. We have Putin - all that Russians think they need." - Vladimir Dubin, senior researcher at the Moscow-based Levada Centre.
Your words not mine. Fairly simple question, do those countries have a large minority?
Your words not mine. Fairly simple question, do those countries have a large minority? Of the wealthiest nations in Europe the British are the only ones that have a true socialist health care system and it is the worst of the bunch - but even the British socilaist system - to answer your question - when comparing white Brits with white American ONLY the crappy socialist health care system of the UK still outperforms the American healthcare system. Now what trailer park wisdom will you come up with in answer to a peer reviewed statistical and medical study? Why are British men healthier than American ones? Earlier this month, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association compared the health of a group of men in the United States with that of a very similar group of men in England. The researchers found a striking difference in the quality of health of the two populations—the Americans were sicker and died younger than their British counterparts. The results are anxiety-provoking because they can't easily be accounted for—and because one of the study's authors, Dr. Michael Marmot of University College, London, is a giant in the field. Marmot's new study compared two populations, one in England and one in the United States, totaling about 8,000 in all, with many similar characteristics. All were male, non-Latino whites between the ages of 55 and 64. The researchers curbed diversity in this way in order to weed out extraneous factors. But in each group, the men ranged widely in terms of income and educational attainment. Thus, though the study primarily compared the health consequences of living in the United States or living in England, the researchers also looked at the degree to which socioeconomic status contributed to the health differences they found.
"We have oil. We have Putin - all that Russians think they need." - Vladimir Dubin, senior researcher at the Moscow-based Levada Centre.
Without a doubt, we have the best health care in the world. We also have the most screwed-up billing systems in the world. Syncing up the programs should be the goal here.
Surely you know the answer, try to spit it out????? Even if it sticks in your craw.
I have found myself of late compelled to revisit the mission statement of Freedom4um. I am inviting each of you to do the same. I have determined that there are some here whose value system and opinions are not in keeping with, and are even detrimental, to the mission of this forum. freedom4um.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=109510 You're no longer welcome here.
This poster whom we will not name has based his entire assault on the predicate that what is about to be foisted off on us is for our own good. The Europeans, Germans, whatever - developed whatever they have over there in terms of a health care system over a hundred years or so of political given take and whether they love it or hate it is immaterial to the struggle that is going on this country of ours today. This week were are menaced by thousands of pages of bureaucratic boiler plate aimed at our access to alternative medicine, our right to purchase the supplements that we need, the privacy of our medical histories and records, as well as our psychological and psychiatric profiles. I trust Reid and Pelosi with my health like you'd trust your daughters with the neighborhood cat burglar.
I think your call here is unwise, unless you want an echo chamber. I enjoyed reading Destro's opinions and input. He backed his stuff up pretty well, including on this thread. Whatever.
THAT picture is worth 1,000 words and more, Jethro. I couldn't have said it better.
Fred, how is it possible to 'back up pretty well' a grab by central government of nearly 20% of our GDP? The word for that is socialism, a vile form of government that shouldn't be debated, but rather rejected outright.
Destro posts regularly on ELPee.
I asked him three times to answer one simple question. No answer as his agenda is so biased he cannot think outside his own little box.
Under what screen name?
I didn't bother to read the rest. Same here.
I'm certain other observers might make the same comment about you.
Fred Mertz, same agenda, same bias.
did you miss that he bragged he made good on his threat to Goldi? who needs that kind of character here? he's also made it clear in numerous postings his disdain for us. i choose to no longer give him a venue to vent it.
Anytime someone posts with bias dripping out their sewer pipe, it is a hint they have an agenda, and are social misfits.
No answer as his agenda is so biased he cannot think outside his own little box. Big red flag. I get that from two posters whose agenda is equally transparent. I can't deal with people who are too timid to behave like American nationalists.
Hey, Mertz ... step out of your little box and into the sand box. The box you are now in is serving you poorly.
Cyni's thinkin' is as big as the great outdoors. That cat has been around, don't you know.
His box is larger than most all the rest of us. We should pay attention, and try to understand, what he brings to us.
We should pay attention, and try to understand, what he brings to us. Lod, you obviously are one of those on this site that appreciates what Cyni brings to us ... if we just "pay attention, and try to understand what he brings ..." Perfect analysis.
I thank you kind Sirs... The checks will be in the mailbox first light tomorrow.
His threat wasn't a threat from him although he phrased it that way. He basically said that he was going to continue to post his opinions and positions knowing that the 'haters' (my term) would attack and chastise him with their nasty innuendos of him being gay, sex with animals, etc. And WebSense or whatever filters would take his opponents' words and give the site a cautionary rating. They were pretty brutal to him in the past week. He was absolutely correct. I see a similar situation happening right now with War on elPee. i.e. He's not parroting the party line and the attack dogs are coming out in force. Watch and learn.
I have seen Cyni state "the check is in the mail" before. You suppose he is jooish? I always heard the joos in NYC telling their creditors the very same thing. MUHAHAHAHA
Fred... I have known both you and Destro for a very long time. For quite some time, ElPee has been nothing but name calling in a childish manner, with all of my friends now gone. One by one they called it quits. Rooster being the last. As far as I am concerned the majority there now add little if anything towards any intellectual discussion. Post after post of insulting vulgarity. Then there are those that indulge in nothing besides trying to alienate everyone in sight, an agenda that sooner or later causes good people to leave. Destro was such.
Top of the list.
He rarely fails to give an interesting perspective and make other posters think and have to back up their arguments. I don't see that as a problem to those who come prepared. Anyway... there is a Bozo filter on this site that should be used by those who need a higher comfort level.
Well, I don't post much anymore for many of the reasons you mention. I read and watch alot. I don't have time to watch every single post. A few hours a day I'm reading here and there. I learned things from Destro. I try to do the same with many posters on several sites. Maybe he had an agenda or maybe he liked to stir the pot, but I don't think he should have been banned from here. I like to stir the pot on occasion. That is all.
That stirring is what drives good people away, people that come here expecting civil and polite discussion and discourse. Stirring has never added anything and has led to many forums going down the drain.
I agree with you.
Say what? Did Destro ever effectively back up his "interesting perspective" when challenged with facts that discredited his "interesting perspective?" You must hold "interesting perspectives" too to appreciate Destro's childish attacks on anyone who offered evidence contrary to his pedestrian AND redundant posts. He never even bothered to read the original source material that he tried to pass off as the word from the Medical Mount. He could not answer questions about the material he posted because his research and readings were so shoddy and limited, he COULD NOT. Please spare me your admiration of that intellectually shallow, ill-informed, socialist goose stepper. I did not call for Destro's departure but to be honest I am not unhappy that christine reached the conclusion that Destro had no interest in making positive contributions to open and honest discussions on political issues we face today. Frankly after I saw the link to the threats a few days ago that Destro made to another political discussion forum moderator, I am now breathing a sigh of relief that Destro can't pursue his anti-free speech philosophy against this forum's moderator owner. We all are very lucky that christine offers this loosely moderated forum as a safe environment to exercise our free speech and discuss our opinions about a breadth of issues. I am more concerned about christine's continued ability to offer us this forum, than fretting about the exit of a hostile poster who offered little in the way of objective, agenda-free material.
Amen, indeed he could not and did not.
What "things" did you learn from Destro, pray tell? I wait with bated breath to read your list of "Destro's teaching thingies."
Says the fascist goose stepper...
See what 4um does not care for Fred????? That is typical ELpee. Why not give the lady a civil answer?
I agree with you.
Please provide evidence that supports your insulting characterization of me, Fred. Thank you.
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestAnd do those European countries have large minorities of non whites included.
#7. To: TommyTheMadArtist, Rotara, tom007 (#4)
#8. To: Destro (#6)
So your contention is America's healthcare is OK for the white guy and that is how you like it? LOL!
#9. To: Cynicom, tom007 (#8)
(Edited)
So your contention is America's healthcare is OK for the white guy and that is how you like it? LOL!
#10. To: Cynicom, all (#8)
#11. To: Destro (#9)
#12. To: Destro (#7)
That's OK, tea party pig - I got Goldie banned as well.
#13. To: christine (#12)
Big government free zone
#14. To: Jethro Tull (#13)
#15. To: christine, Destro (#12)
You're no longer welcome here.
#16. To: Jethro Tull (#13)
#17. To: Fred Mertz (#15)
(Edited)
He backed his stuff up pretty well, including on this thread.
#18. To: Fred Mertz (#15)
I enjoyed reading Destro's opinions and input. He backed his stuff up pretty well, including on this thread.
#19. To: Jethro Tull (#17)
#20. To: Cynicom (#18)
#21. To: Cynicom (#2)
And do those European countries have large minorities of non whites included?
#22. To: Cynicom (#19)
No answer as his agenda is so biased he cannot think outside his own little box.
#23. To: Fred Mertz (#20)
Under what screen name?
#24. To: Fred Mertz (#15)
#25. To: Lod (#21)
#26. To: Cynicom (#19)
I asked him three times to answer one simple question.
#27. To: Fred Mertz (#22)
#28. To: Fred Mertz (#22)
#29. To: Fred Mertz (#22)
I'm certain other observers might make the same comment about you.
#30. To: Lod (#29)
His box is larger than most all the rest of us.
#31. To: Lod, randge (#29)
#32. To: christine, Destro, war (#24)
did you miss that he bragged he made good on his threat to Goldi?
#33. To: Lod, randge (#31)
The checks will be in the mailbox first light tomorrow.
#34. To: Fred Mertz, All (#32)
#35. To: Phant2000 (#33)
#36. To: Lod (#29)
His box is larger than most all the rest of us.
#37. To: Cynicom, Destro (#34)
#38. To: Fred Mertz (#37)
I like to stir the pot on occasion.
#39. To: Cynicom (#38)
#40. To: mininggold, christine (#36)
(Edited)
He rarely fails to give an interesting perspective and make other posters think and have to back up their arguments.
#41. To: scrapper2 (#40)
You must hold "interesting perspectives" too to appreciate Destro's childish attacks on anyone who offered evidence contrary to his pedestrian AND redundant posts. He never even bothered to read the original source material that he tried to pass off as the word from the Medical Mount. He could not answer questions about the material he posted because his research and readings were so shoddy and limited, he COULD NOT.
#42. To: Fred Mertz (#37)
I learned things from Destro.
#43. To: scrapper2 (#40)
Please spare me your admiration of that intellectually limited, ill-informed, socialist goose stepper.
#44. To: Fred Mertz (#43)
Says the fascist goose stepper...
#45. To: Cynicom (#44)
#46. To: Fred Mertz (#43)
Says the fascist goose stepper...
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