Monday, January 14, 2013

U.S. Health vs The World

The timing of former President Bill Clinton's Foundation's 2013 Health Matters Conference on Tuesday could not be more appropriate.  Within the last week the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine released an extensive report on the state of health of the citizens of the United States compared to peer nations around the world. The results are not encouraging for us. In fact, they're down right lousy and embarrassing.

For a country that prides itself on being the very best, when it comes to America's individual and collective health, we're extraordinarily supremely unhealthy. As part of his Global Clinton Initiative the former President turned world ambassador and philanthropist joins leading health and wellness advocates to promote and improve individual healthy lifestyles in the home, the community and the workplace.

This report from the NRCIM has nothing to do with the current topical discussions that involve the quality of our healthcare or our rising costs. Instead, the data reflects individuals's personal health maintenance, taking into account factors like obesity, diet, mortality, etc.

The news is bitterly morbid for American men whose life expectancy is lower than 17 other of the world's wealthiest countries.  When it comes to American women, only the Danish have a shorter life span. Here's the link to the detailed report that explains more of the determining factors behind our national deficiency.


When you see startling statistics such as these you cannot expect to behave like nothing's wrong. As a country and as individuals we must reexamine how we live, how we eat and how we exercise. The on going discussions around Health Care absolutely must include areas like nutrition, physical fitness and mental well being. It's all part of the larger issue.  If nothing else, this report should serve as a national wake-up call. Our health and future depend on it.

Stay positive. Stay informed. Stay healthy.
- The Patient's Adovcate

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