An article was just released in the New England Journal of Medicine outlining some very interesting statistics about American health.
The study was recently released using data collected in 2006. It is not new that America is behind many other countries in terms of individual health and longevity. In fact, our health care system is ranked 37th in the world. What you might not have known is that we are ranked number 1 is spending; America spends more health care dollars per person that any other nation.
More facts:
-U.S. is ranked 39th for infant lifespan,
-43nd for female lifespan,
-42nd for male lifespan.
We spend the most money but are not even near the top on healthiest countries. We’re certainly not living as long as in many other modern countries. Why is this? The latest technology and patented drugs are all over TV screens and magazine pages. These newer treatments are the most costly and it is these that are pushed on the American consumer and physician alike.
Advances in medicine are always important, but when a new procedure without a proven safety record rushes onto the scene and is marketed are the miracle cure people tend to demand it. Sometimes there are disastrous consequences. Many examples of this exist including FenPhen, Vioxx and inappropriate use of drug coated stents.
In order to survive in today’s high tech world you’ve got to have all the information. Whether you’re buying a new TV or trying to decide on taking a new medication, unless you have all the facts you’re not going to know what you’re getting into.
Use SmartMEDinfo as a resource to make sure you fully understand the treatment options offered to you. The drug or procedure may be new and expensive, but will it actually benefit you?
References: