See other Health Articles
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: 2084
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
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-33) not displayed.
.
.
.
#34. To: Fred Mertz, All (#32)
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.
Agree??? How so??? You insulted the lady and gave no answer. That is what Destro was doing, no answers to anything, always attack attack attack. Agenda Fred.
I agree with you, too.
I must say that I rarely agree with banning..........but I'm behind Christine all the way on this one. Fred, this is a brazen bragging about lashing out against forum owners. You know that I don't agree with the way GL runs her little show, the hypocricy and selective enforcement of forum rules. In this case, you have a brazen crap thrower who, on another thread, refused to answer direct and pointed questions asked by Christine regarding his intentions. Why should she be expected to put up with this bs? Cui Bono? Not Christine and not Freedum4um.
I agree. I should be banned from here. If I can, I'll check back in the morning. Good night.
I agree with you.
That Destro does get some panties in a wad. You can tell the ones that would destabilize easily in a crisis. lolol
I like the way you listen to sound reasoning, Fred. : ) You're a good egg.
Ah now Fred. Why not join in, we mean no harm. I have been thrown out of every forum I ever posted in, except this one. I have no agenda and still tick off a lot of people, including Scrap, but I mean no harm, and I do try to add something besides name calling.
lolol At least the posters you allude to are women who have a valid physiological reason for wearing panties. What's your excuse?
A - He likes to keep in touch with his feminine side. B - He's a leftist wacko C - All of the above Take your pick
Ted Kennedy Is Now Eligible To Vote In Chicago.
What's your excuse? I have no idea who is a woman here or not and frankly dear I don't give a damn, I just hate to see posters banned evidently unlike so called tough "scrappers" like you. lololol
Saw this this morning and couldn't believe it. There's a cheap, obnoxious slap at a forum member whose posts are humane, thoughtful and well considered. When I read scrapper's stuff, I hear a pretty good mind tickin' over - I sure don't hear jackboots. You are cruisin' for a bruisin' as they say Mertz. We're still waiting for you to back up this drive by.
mininggold has been on my bozo for more than a month. She is a wacko LP troll from LP who melts down when you mention anything negative about California. She insists I'm an R, despite me not having voted for them in decades. When someone, without evidence, continues to use the same line over and over, their intentions are clear. She should find Destro, and then seek out a more pleasant posting experience.
Agreed Hopefully hangin with the Weasel is in her future.
Ted Kennedy Is Now Eligible To Vote In Chicago.
I enjoyed reading Destro's opinions and input. He backed his stuff up pretty well, including on this thread. Whatever. Yeah, that sums you up purdy well. whatever...
Yes, Traitors like 'stro and his merry band of cocksuckers like YOU...
You don't 'get' freddie by now ?
LOL - brains, trains, so I took a trip...
would that be the Eurotrash Kommie Democrat Party ?
Get back to us when you and Ron Paul reconquer the GOP...LOL
you pitched in with the obamalamadingdongs during the selection didn't you...
several years of the 'stro is enough for any decent American to suffer...IMO
thank you, scrap.
Who used the term goose stepper first? I was just replying in kind.
And on other forums you are yukon's side kick or are you afraid to admit it to your "friends" here. Bragging there how you post here ands everyone thinks you are just one great poster. lolol Free speech, my ass, this site is just another clique gathering just like most of them. And until it changes it and posters can show they can take the heat and examine their positions on issues without getting their panties in a bunch this site deserves to stay small and ineffective....like your LP rifle. lololol.
Tribes always give passes to fellow members.
I'm a little surprised that Jethro Tull has you on bozo. I didn't realize he was so thin skinned. Well, at least I learn something new every day.
Being a quitter or wanting a coup, is that your only choices? But other than that it's nice to see that you are cleaning up your language. If any poster deserves banning for getting this site kicked out of libraries.......I don't think it would be Destro.
Comments (75 - 150) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#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...
#47. To: Fred Mertz (#45)
#48. To: scrapper2 (#46)
#49. To: Destro, christine, Fred Mertz (#7)
That's OK, tea party pig - I got Goldie banned as well.
#50. To: Cynicom (#47)
#51. To: abraxas (#49)
#52. To: Fred Mertz (#43)
Says the fascist goose stepper...
#53. To: Fred Mertz (#51)
I agree with you.
#54. To: Fred Mertz (#48)
#55. To: mininggold (#52)
That Destro does get some panties in a wad. You can tell the ones that would destabilize easily in a crisis.
#56. To: scrapper2 (#55)
What's your excuse?
#57. To: scrapper2 (#55)
t least the posters you allude to are women who have a valid physiological reason for wearing panties.
#58. To: Fred Mertz (#43)
Says the fascist goose stepper...
#59. To: Flintlock, scrapper2 (#56)
#60. To: Jethro Tull (#59)
She should find Destro,
#61. To: fred mertz (#15)
I think your call here is unwise, unless you want an echo chamber.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams 
#62. To: fred mertz (#22)
I'm certain other observers might make the same comment about you.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#63. To: christine (#24)
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.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#64. To: fred mertz (#32)
His threat wasn't a threat from him although he phrased it that way.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#65. To: fred mertz (#32)
He's not parroting the party line
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#66. To: mininggold (#36)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#67. To: fred mertz (#37)
Maybe he had an agenda
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#68. To: scrapper2 (#40)
Please spare me your admiration of that intellectually shallow, ill-informed, socialist goose stepper.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#69. To: scrapper2 (#40)
#70. To: randge (#58)
We're still waiting for you to back up this drive by.
#71. To: Flintlock, (#60)
Hopefully hangin with the Weasel is in her future.
#72. To: Fred Mertz (#70)
Who used the term goose stepper first? I was just replying in kind.
#73. To: mininggold (#72)
#74. To: Rotara (#66)
Get back to us when you and Ron Paul reconquer the GOP...LOL
.
.
.