USA spends more on health care, yet Americans are less healthy than many others

Severely Obese Male

The USA spends a lot of money on health care, yet mainly because of lifestyle choices its residents are less healthy than those of many other lands (the USA is 26th out of 36 ranked nations):

December 20, 2013

WASHINGTON — Americans have the most expensive health care system in the world, although they don’t have the most efficient one. Additionally, they don’t get the most for their money. That’s the assessment of two recent studies of health care in the U.S. Now, researchers paying more attention to where the money goes and what changes can be made to improve health care.U.S. health care costs have doubled in the last 30 years, but Americans are not necessarily healthier than they were in the 1980’s. Hamilton Moses analyzed the changes and trends and published his findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association.“All of our information comes from publicly available sources. That’s a very important point. This is freely available information, although the challenge was to compile it in a way that was interpretable,” said Moses.

The researchers found Americans spent between $2.5 trillion and $3 trillion dollars on health care in 2011, more than any other developed country. The report highlights two major factors that are driving up costs.

The first is that the price of medical and administrative services has gone up, along with the cost of drugs, procedures and devices.

Moses says Americans’ love of technology is part of the problem.”The U.S. has a technology bias. We have a technology preference. We look to technology for the solution of all problems,” explained Moses.

The second factor is simple to identify, but more complex to address. Poor lifestyle habits, such smoking and over-eating, have resulted in epidemic levels of obesity and diabetes as well as heart disease, joint pain and lung diseases. Managing chronic disease is expensive.“We have not invested heavily in chronic care management or for that matter in health care service innovation nearly to the degree that we have in medical technology,” said Moses.Many of these diseases can be prevented though exercise, diet and maintaining a healthy weight, yet in the U.S. prevention has not historically been part of medical care. Consulting with a nutritionist, either by phone or in person, or participating in wellness activities can be expensive, and those services are not normally covered by health insurance.

“The overall amount of spending that occurs with people who have chronic illness is about 85 percent of the total,” said Moses.

Moses’ research shows that those who spend the most on chronic disease are not elderly, and that their investment in care does not guarantee a long life.

Meanwhile, a new report from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development shows that the U.S. spends between 250% to 300% of what other member nations spend. Despite that, the United States trails other developed countries in life expectancy, coming in at 26th place out of the 36 members of the organization. http://www.voanews.com/content/studies-americans-sicker-citizens-other-developed-countries/1814245.html

Cost associated with USA bureaucracy and its legal system are also major factors driving total costs, but those were not directly mentioned in the above article. The article also failed to mention that the USA probably consumes more genetically-modified ‘foods’ than perhaps all other nations. The Bible warns about eating that which is not bread (Isaiah 55:2), and between GMOs, artificial additives, and processed foods, most in the USA are eating a lot ‘food’ which is not wholesome, as well as often eating too much. Even though the Bible teaches that ‘bodily exercise profits a little’ (1 Timothy 4:8), most Americans are not active enough.

The above study seems to hint that Americans hope that medical technology is the answer to their often improper lifestyle choices. This is expensive, and as the above study indicates, has not been particularly effective. Furthermore, as costs go up, more and more Americans expect other Americans to pay for their healthcare. This is becoming more of a problem and thus far government ‘solutions’ have been found to greatly increase costs. The ‘way of get’ is not the best way for any nation, but that culture is growing in the USA.

Health issues and healthcare costs are factors that are demonstrating that the USA is no longer going to remain the economic leader of the world.

As far as being obese, those who aree also face day-to-day problems in their lives. Many activities are more difficult for them. In addition to health issues, they also tend to be a greater risk of employment discrimination, pay discrimination, and face a variety of social challenges greater than those of the non-obese population. And although obesity is a multi-factorial problem, all who are overweight, even the irreligious, can eat less, try to avoid chemical additives, be more physically active (1 Timothy 4:8), and make better food and food quantity choices.

The end of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies is coming. There is no prophecy in scripture that I believe even hints that a country like the current USA will exist after the King of the North succeeds (cf. Daniel 11:39, which seems to be the only reference to the USA in that chapter, and shows its conquering and division). National repentance, which does not seem likely at this stage, is the only hope. But individuals themselves can turn to God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Obesity, processed foods, and the Bible Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? What does science teach? Is gluttony condemned? This new article has that and much more.
Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy This is a YouTube video. Are there disadvantages to being overweight? Is junk food really bad for you? Does the Bible discuss overeating and/or obesity? Is overeating having an effect on the US military? What are the ramifications of personal and national health for overeating? What should you eat?
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Does God Heal Today? What does the Bible teach? Herbert Armstrong tries to explain this.
Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health Herbert Armstrong gives his opinions on this.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese: 克服是重要的. Here is also a link to a video in English titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong. Here is a version in Mandarin: 如何不犯罪
 Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?