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(Image source: The JAMA Network)
BY CANDICE AVILES
Bad news for the U.S. A new study shows it continues to lag behind other countries in almost every cause of premature death, despite spending more money on health care than any other country.
Researchers studied the number of premature deaths between 1990 and 2010. They found the number of deaths “rose sharply,” including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and liver and kidney cancer. (Via The JAMA Network)
And “the number of years lost to drug use disorders increased by 448 percent. Alzheimer’s disease, which was ranked as the 32nd-highest cause of years of life lost in 1999, shot to number 9 in 2010.” And diabetes went from No. 15 to 7. However, over the course of the study, they also saw an increase in an American’s average life expectancy — from 75 to 78. (Via Everyday Health)
The study’s author hammers the fact that the amount of money spent isn’t translating into results.
“When it comes to lung cancer, preterm birth complications, and a range of other causes, the country isn’t keeping pace with high-income countries in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. High costs with mediocre population health outcomes at the national level are compounded by marked disparities across communities, socioeconomic groups, and race and ethnicity groups.” (Via EurekAlert!)
So when it comes to spending, the study suggests the U.S. doesn’t need to spend more, just spend more wisely. It also has some recommendations to solve the problem.
Researchers say investing in public health programs and focusing on main risk factors including physical activity, nutritional choices, pollution and drug use. (Via YouTube / CheshireFitness / Medical News Today)
“If all constituents do their parts, the apt subtitle for the next generation’s analysis of US health will be not ‘doing better and feeling worse, still,’ but ‘getting better faster than ever.’” (Via Medical News Today)
The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.