US Drops to 49th in the World for Life Expectancy

[Citaro]

Poor healthcare may shorten American lives - study Thu Oct 7, 2010 12:00am EDT

 

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

 

"WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Americans die sooner than citizens of a dozen other developed nations and the usual suspects -- obesity, traffic accidents and a high murder rate -- are not to blame, researchers reported on Thursday.

 

Instead, poor healthcare may be to blame, the team at Columbia University in New York reported.

 

They found that 15-year survival rates for men and women aged 45 to 65 have fallen in the United States relative to the other 12 countries over the past 30 years.

 

Such figures are frequently cited by supporters of healthcare reform, and critics often point out that the United States also has higher rates of obesity, more traffic fatalities and more murders than these countries.

 

Columbia's Peter Muennig, who led the study published in the journal Health Affairs, said his team accounted for these factors this time.

 

"But what really surprised us was that all of the usual suspects -- smoking, obesity, traffic accidents, and homicides -- are not the culprits," Meunnig said in a statement.

 

"The U.S. doesn't stand out as doing any worse in these areas than any of the other countries we studied, leading us to believe that failings in the U.S. health care system, such as costly specialized and fragmented care, are likely playing a large role in this relatively poor performance on improvements in life expectancy."

 

In June, the Commonwealth Fund, which advocates on and does research focusing on healthcare reform, reported that Americans spend twice as much on healthcare as residents of other developed countries -- $7,290 per person -- but get lower quality and less efficiency.

 

Muennig and Sherry Glied compared the United States to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

 

All these countries provide universal health insurance, in contrast to the United States, where 15 percent of the population lacks health insurance, although healthcare reform passed in March is designed to lower that disparity.

 

Republicans have promised to derail the legislation if they gain power in Congress in next month's elections.

 

COSTS GO UP

 

Between 1975 and 2005, medical costs went up in all the countries, as did life expectancy.

 

But costs went up far more in the United States and life expectancy increased to a far lower degree.

 

Glied and Meunnig do not believe obesity accounts for the differences. While more Americans are obese, overall the populations in all the nations have been getting fatter, they said.

 

"For obesity to explain the decline in U.S. life expectancy or the increase in health spending relative to the 12 comparison countries, Americans would have to be becoming obese at a faster rate than people in the comparison nations over time," they wrote. But this has not been happening.

 

Americans are less likely to smoke, and while Americans are more likely to die in car crashes or be murdered, again these rates do not explain the lower life expectancy, the Columbia team said.

 

"The findings undercut critics who might argue that the U.S. health care system is not in need of major changes," they wrote.

 

They noted that the United States has been dropping in life expectancy tables for decades.

 

"In 1950, the United States was fifth among the leading industrialized nations with respect to female life expectancy at birth, surpassed only by Sweden, Norway, Australia, and the Netherlands," they wrote. At last count, the United States was 46th in female life expectancy; 49th for both sexes. (Editing by Eric Walsh)"

[SoSpectacular]

It pisses me off at how those trying to earn a living and stay healthy can't even do that because of all the corruption that's slowly killing this country. The money that comes out of our pockets is barely enough for crap health care. This is stupid.

[INDman]

You have to cut down on over population sooner or later...

[Urbanfortitude]

You have to cut down on over population sooner or later...

 

Yeah and let's not forget anyone can get that axe.

[Infamous85]

You have to cut down on over population sooner or later...

 

Not really the U.S., even though 300 Million sounds like a lot look at China & India with over a Billion (both of which are physically smaller than the U.S.). This country is far from crowded.

 

This county's healthcare system needs an overhaul.

[Citaro]

Another report: The new UN Development Index is online

The US increases from rank 13 to rank 4 in just one year from 2009 - 2010.

 

Here check it out yourself: http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Summary.pdf

 

The HDI report also shows that the life quality in Russia has dropped rapidely since the end of the soviet union.

 

update: The American Human Development Index is also online

 

1. Connecticut

2. Massachusetts

3. District of Columbia

4. New Jersey

5. Maryland

6. New York

 

Here: http://books.google.de/books?id=9yNIgK8PylIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Measure+of+America+2010-2011&source=bl&ots=jryCmsQkcG&sig=iolmPm9jrQTJWSvVG6VEu_reql8&hl=de&ei=h9LSTLqFFoygOraS_ZwP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

All these states were always dominated by Democrats, Texas is on rank 36. lol and the country has voted for the Teabaggers. The report also shows that New Yorker are living 2 years longer than people from Texas. The life expectancy in New York is as high as in Europe.

[Kamen Rider]

Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters

[INDman]

Not really the U.S., even though 300 Million sounds like a lot look at China & India with over a Billion (both of which are physically smaller than the U.S.). This country is far from crowded.

 

This county's healthcare system needs an overhaul.

 

You have to start somewhere don't you?

[Kamen Rider]

Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters

[Citaro]

A rebuttal, from CNN of all places.

 

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/04/whos-sicker-older-americans-or-english/?hpt=T2

 

Older americans may be sicker, but they live longer than older Brits.

 

Thanks medicare older people have a long life expectancy. Totally from birth americans have a lower life expectancy. Where is the rebuttal?

[Kamen Rider]

Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters

[SubwayGuy]

read the article, it's not medicare, it's investment in the medical field.

 

most politcians who are pushing for socilized medicine don't know how to run a medical orginzation. Do I need to repost what former mayor Rudy Giuliani said yesterday. The man actually ran 17 hospitals as mayor, all of which are still open, and made them better.

 

 

point is, all these stats you keep posting are bogus, we don't need to follow your example, becuase your example doesn't suit how the majority has decided we want out country run. All this healthcare BS is what's destryoing us, becuase Obamalamdingdong is giving it all his attnetion, not jobs and the economy.

 

Jobs and the economy will start getting fixed when lawmakers begin PENALIZING big corporations and their executives for outsourcing jobs. They won't do that though because the rich all look out for each other. As well as when importing is discouraged and made more expensive through raised tariffs. Protectionism is not globally politically correct, but it is very much necessary. Free trade has failed. The rich love it though. They think everyone should make their money on Wall St. and to hell with them if they can't.

 

A representative government is not representative when the "representatives" only come from the top of the economic spectrum.

 

In the meantime, we have deficits, and the best way to reduce them is to STOP borrowing and printing bogus money while simultaneously cutting unnecessary spending, bringing back the estate tax on estates over 3 million, AND taxing the top 5% of earners more.

 

You won't find ANY politicians, Democrats or Republicans, that are willing to do this.

 

Obama wants to let the Bush tax cuts expire for the wealthy (>$250K a year in income). That would be a great step toward reducing deficits. But they're fighting him on this and it looks likely he will concede. Once again, the rich will have f***ed you all over and you are all too blind to realize it because this country is too busy arguing over gays, "God", and healthcare.

 

What good is any of that if the rich keep on raping and pillaging you financially? When in the hell are people around here going to GET A CLUE and realize what's REALLY going on?

[Locomotion69]

Who in their right mind would want to live forever anyways?

30 years in a nursing home, wow. Death isn't a bad thing, its a new beginning. We are afraid of the unknown.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/11/04/2010-11-04_worlds_oldest_person_eugenie_blanchard_dead_at_114_years_old.html

[Grand Concourse]

Who in their right mind would want to live forever anyways?

30 years in a nursing home, wow. Death isn't a bad thing, its a new beginning. We are afraid of the unknown.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/11/04/2010-11-04_worlds_oldest_person_eugenie_blanchard_dead_at_114_years_old.html

 

Truth.:tup:

[Locomotion69]

You have to cut down on over population sooner or later...

 

I know this thread is about life expectancy, but can you believe that a 10 yr old from Spain recently gave birth and her mother is actually proud and doesn't see what the big deal it is? Yeah they are country people(gypsies) but c'mon!

[metsfan]

This country's health care system, education system, infrastructure state of repair, civil rights position are all a joke thanks to the efforts of republicans.

 

Yeesh you thought the recent cuts were bad, hold on to your sweet bippie.

 

- A

[Citaro]

read the article, it's not medicare, it's investment in the medical field.

 

CNN

Americans 65 and older don't die as fast as the same age group in England, the study authors found.

 

REUTERS

They found that 15-year survival rates for men and women aged 45 to 65 have fallen in the United States relative to the other 12 countries over the past 30 years.

 

CNN

Why would this be? It seems that if you live into your 70s, the American medical system takes care of you better, said study co-author James Smith of the RAND Corporation.

 

WIKIPEDIA

Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over

 

CNN

US health care is better ...

 

I

... but not for everybody. The Infant mortality rate in the US is the highest of the developed world. People from birth have also a lower life expectancy than Brits, because people without money or many people under 65 years have no right access to health care, especially not to cancer prevention etc. And so it comes to this ...

 

REUTERS

In 1950, the United States was fifth among the leading industrialized nations with respect to female life expectancy at birth, surpassed only by Sweden, Norway, Australia, and the Netherlands," they wrote. At last count, the United States was 46th in female life expectancy; 49th for both sexes.

 

Kamen Rider

most politcians who are pushing for socilized medicine don't know how to run a medical orginzation. Do I need to repost what former mayor Rudy Giuliani said yesterday. The man actually ran 17 hospitals as mayor, all of which are still open, and made them better.

 

lol I've never seen a politican running the NHS. It is called PUBLIC/DEMOCRATIC service like a fire deprartment, the MTA or the Army.

 

Kamen Rider

point is, all these stats you keep posting are bogus, we don't need to follow your example, becuase your example doesn't suit how the majority has decided we want out country run. All this healthcare BS is what's destryoing us, becuase Obamalamdingdong is giving it all his attnetion, not jobs and the economy.

 

Your country has voted for

-no right healthcare for everbody

-profit for banks

-profit for insurance companies

-profit for gun industry

-less gov. = less democracy

-more poverty and less financial security (social security cuts)

-less money for education = more outsourcing

-more religion and less science

-more wars

-no oil independency

-tax cuts = more deficit

-no ARC

-end of Amtrak

-no money for the broken infrastructure

-And this here:

[R68 Subway Car]

This country's health care system, education system, infrastructure state of repair, civil rights position are all a joke thanks to the efforts of republicans.

 

Yeesh you thought the recent cuts were bad, hold on to your sweet bippie.

 

- A

 

1) Our health care system is the best in the world and is better than waiting in lines in other countries for health care.

 

2) If the teachers unions and Democrats would stop their endless attack on the students' right to choose their schools, charter schools, and vouchers, education would be better off.

 

3) Politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, are the reason why our infrastructure sucks.

 

4) Our civil rights position is a joke? Are you kidding me? Do we stone women or kill gays?

[R68 Subway Car]

 

Jobs and the economy will start getting fixed when lawmakers begin PENALIZING big corporations and their executives for outsourcing jobs. They won't do that though because the rich all look out for each other.

They have to outsource their jobs because they are overtaxed and over-regulated over here so they go to an economy. Also, outsourcing actually helps America. In fact, the passing of NAFTA helped grow the US Economy by 50% in it's first 13 years. Also, job outsourcing only accounts for a small percentage of job loss in this country. Also, companies have the right to expand their business cross borders.

[Urbanfortitude]

1) Our health care system is the best in the world and is better than waiting in lines in other countries for health care.

 

you mean vs having to decide whether or not i can afford to see a doctor period? yeah real great.

 

2) If the teachers unions and Democrats would stop their endless attack on the students' right to choose their schools, charter schools, and vouchers, education would be better off.

 

Better off for who?

 

3) Politicians, mainly Republicans, are the reason why our infrastructure sucks.

 

fixed

 

4) Our civil rights position is a joke? Are you kidding me? Do we stone women or kill gays?

 

So...not outright killing people is enough to make a role model of civil rights?

 

 

 

red

 

 

...and on a side note for number 1 when i finally could afford it I don't remember having quick in and out visits and this is with an appointment.

[SubwayGuy]

They have to outsource their jobs because they are overtaxed and over-regulated over here so they go to an economy. Also, outsourcing actually helps America. In fact, the passing of NAFTA helped grow the US Economy by 50% in it's first 13 years. Also, job outsourcing only accounts for a small percentage of job loss in this country. Also, companies have the right to expand their business cross borders.

 

I hate to be flippant and dismissive, but everything you just said is absolute bull. Literally all wrong.

 

-The question is not whether businesses are over or undertaxed. The problem is that there are no tax incentives for companies to KEEP jobs here and KEEP Americans employed. Please think before regurgitating what you hear on the news and in the Wall Street Journal.

 

-Outsourcing does not help America. Any time a product originates from another country, SOME portion of the final sale price of that product necessarily will be sent overseas to pay for it. This creates a trade deficit, which is a slow leak draining the wealth and purchasing power out of this country. To cover for it, the geniuses at the Federal Reserve have routinely proposed using the ultimate tool in American fiscal policy - the printing press - to further devalue our currency and erode the value of dollars held by the American working and middle class in an effort to sustain government funded spending programs that are aimed to help the economy but which cost this country money. The problem is only solved at the root - ending the excessive outsourcing of jobs and importing of goods - which drains the wealth of this country.

 

-Free trade has not been good for America at all. It has made us a net importer by a huge margin. Not only that, we have entered into bound agreements that prevent us from making the best economic decisions we can at a point in time. Free trade is based on the principle that different countries will have different competencies which sounds wonderful in a textbook but does not work in real life. However, that does not work when the countries you are trading with beat you at everything because they do not believe in human rights, treat their workers like shit, and have no standard of living for everyone that isn't a billionaire or in their government. Because those countries treat their workers like shit, and pay them shit, they'll be able to produce EVERYTHING cheaper. The best thing to do is RESTRICT trade from these nations so as not to financially reinforce the very un-American values of KEEPING PEOPLE DOWN that they stand for.

 

-Side note: You're using GDP and real GDP as measures of economic growth. Those metrics are absolutely useless. Economic health should be measured in tangible goods production, employment rate, and median income.

 

-Job outsourcing does not account for a small percentage of jobs loss in this country. More than 90-90% of our manufacturing base has been shipped overseas. Those are jobs that will never come back unless government and the people act. You cannot find many things at all made in the USA anymore. Those valuable jobs which create wealth for working and middle class Americans are gone.

 

-Companies have the right to expand their business across borders, that's not the issue. The issue is outsourcing their workforce. They have a right to do that too, but government has a fiduciary responsibility to THE AMERICAN PEOPLE to penalize them financially if they do while simultaneously offering incentives to them to KEEP their operations and jobs where they belong, right here in the US. If the USA wants to turn this puppy around, the only way they're going to do it is hit those companies HARD where they notice it - financially - hard enough so that they begin bringing jobs back here.

 

Anything else will just further the trend of deficits, bankruptcy, borrowing, and higher taxes - not on businesses, but on American PEOPLE.

[CenSin]

Who in their right mind would want to live forever anyways?

30 years in a nursing home, wow. Death isn't a bad thing, its a new beginning. We are afraid of the unknown.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/11/04/2010-11-04_worlds_oldest_person_eugenie_blanchard_dead_at_114_years_old.html

Well, a long life isn't bad. It's the poor health that makes it suck. If I were to keep my body well maintained, I could be looking half my age and running a marathon at age 80.

[Citaro]

1) Our health care system is the best in the world and is better than waiting in lines in other countries for health care.

 

2) If the teachers unions and Democrats would stop their endless attack on the students' right to choose their schools, charter schools, and vouchers, education would be better off.

 

3) Politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, are the reason why our infrastructure sucks.

 

4) Our civil rights position is a joke? Are you kidding me? Do we stone women or kill gays?

 

1. The US health care system isn't the best in the world. From all industrial countries it is the worst (http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Fund%20Report/2010/Jun/1400_Davis_Mirror_Mirror_on_the_wall_2010.pdf) and most expensive. Your hospitals and doctors are good, but its accessibility for medicaid patients and the lower middle-class which makes a big part in the society is so bad that it has reduced the life expectancy of your whole population. The US is the only industrial country in the world, where people die because they had no right access to healthcare. The system is killing, not Obamacare. AND the US healthcare system HAS NOT the shortest WAITING TIMES:

 

2.

 

3. Right, but Obama wants to change it. You've voted against infrastructure. Palin will demolish it with her machine gun.

 

4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/07/teresa-lewis-execution-mentally-disabled-virginia_n_708103.html

 

They have to outsource their jobs because they are overtaxed and over-regulated over here so they go to an economy. Also, outsourcing actually helps America. In fact, the passing of NAFTA helped grow the US Economy by 50% in it's first 13 years. Also, job outsourcing only accounts for a small percentage of job loss in this country. Also, companies have the right to expand their business cross borders.

 

OVERTAXED?????

 

Total tax ratio as percentage of GDP

 

And this is the current situation for american children: child poverty

 

 

Where is the pattern? Is the US overtaxed or undertaxed?

[R68 Subway Car]

I am not saying that our health care service is perfect. It has its problems. However, I feel that it is not as bad as some may claim it to be. My solution to give people heath insurance is to create laws so that health insurances companies can sell their insurance across state lines. With that, there will be competition to provide the best health care insurance, which in effect leads to more affordable health insurance. Also, to have free, universal coverage of health care by the government would lead to higher taxes since the government would need taxes in order to pay all the people they would give health care to.

[R68 Subway Car]

 

4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/07/teresa-lewis-execution-mentally-disabled-virginia_n_708103.html

That is a horrible case there. In the case of the Death Penalty, I am one of the biggest proponents of the use of DNA evidence when it comes to death row cases or any other cases related to it because like many others I believe there are innocent persons on Death Row. DNA evidence is good because it can both convict the pieces of shit who kill innocent people and free the innocent who were wrongly convicted. I am not saying that we are perfect when it comes to civil rights, but compared to countries like Iran, we are better than alot of countries in terms of civil rights.