I happened to find this article yesterday thanks to a friend. While part of me is not surprised to hear about this news, the other part of me still is. Through the topics we are learning in class I ask myself why our nation, the wealthiest part of the region (North America) is turning out this way. The fact is that we have the resources to educate ourselves, but through other mediums or reasons the U.S is not excelling where we believe we should, statistically or culturally. This reminds me of the days I read Adbusters magazines and a compelling issue that really spoke to me was titled "The culture of death" and "The culture of life" from 2006, I believe.
Here is the article on the study, which explains more in detail.
Well that's discouraging....
ReplyDeleteIt seems like yet another impetus to move forward and address issues like education and the social structures that come between people and the kind of treatment and care that can increase a lifespan significantly.
It does make me wonder, though. If we are a nation of so much wealth, and we spend so much of that wealth on health care, how could we be scoring so low? This article sort of hints at those questions regarding economic discrepancy between rich and poor, the power of education, etc.
Lindy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this- right on point with much of our discussion in class so far.
Melissa, I agree that focusing on education and other social determinants is critically important for improving health. In class next week we'll be talking about health inequities and I hope to hear more of your thoughts on this!
I am encouraged to see that this article associates violent crime, and firearm homicides with the gaps in public health equity and access. I have encountered a great deal of finger pointing, and focus in the media surrounding gun control regulations, or a stricter punitive based approach when confronting violent crime. Communities riddled with these types of social issues are the same communities that need a little up stream attention in the way of preventive care for treatable mental illnesses. Without getting too far into the rabbit hole, I strongly believe that patient centered care in areas where health centers are understaffed, and overburdened, make it difficult for individuals to trust their provider with something so personal as mental illness. In addition, the mentality that free, or low cost health care recipients shouldn't be choosey ('beggars can't be choosers') increases the likelihood that that a patient will stay in a unhealthy doctor- patient relationship. That said, sunshine is the best disinfectant, and hopefully this article will shine enough light on the subject, opening up some honest dialog focused on the universal benefits of health care equity.
ReplyDeleteCheers!