The Impact of Poor Health on America

Infographic Provided by SolsticeMed.com THE IMPACT OF POOR HEALTH United States spends more money than any other country on healthcare, but still ranks nearly last among industrialized countries in life expectancy and infant mortality rate. The reasons why other countries are healthier than the U.S. can be found in the allotment of The World Life Expectancy Map funds for social services, subsidies, training programs and pensions. • 80+ • 75-80 O 70-75 0 65-70 O 60-65 O 55-60 O 50-55 O 45-50 040-45 Obelow 40 Source: worldlifeexpectancy.com Even Cuba has a better infant mortality rate than the US according to the U.N. and to the CIA World Factbook Americans have a lower life expectancy, and an infant mortality rate that is much higher than other rich industrialized countries What Countries are Living Longer Than the U.S. 2005-2010 average 85,0 82.7 Life expectancy at birth in Japan Source: United Nations (2005-2010) Male Female years 79.0 86.1 80,0 Life expectancy at birth in the U.S. Male Female 80.8 75.6 78.2 years 75,0 70,0 ael yapro ore taly Spa New Guadtelands Costa Rica Infant Mortality Rates Number of deaths/1,000 live births. Average over last three years. US. Virgin I United Arab 2.60 2.89 3.14 3,18 3.31 3.51 4.05 4.10 4.10 4.18 4.19 Infant mortality rate and the status of women are mutually related. As stated in several studies a woman's educational Iceland Japan Sweden Finland Singapore Slovenia. Switzerland Norway status and economic Laaxembourg status matter. 4.21 4.33 4.43 4.44 4.46 4.85 Source: www2 documents/sc70315.pdf 4.53 5.01 5.09 bc.edu/-jbw/ Germany Spain Italy Belgium Australia Netherlands 5,22 5.23 5.30 5.38 5.38 5.44 5.45 5.55 5.59 5.84 5.99 6.66 6.95 7.07 Ireland South Korea. Brunei United Kingdom Macau ITED STATES U New Zealand Cuba Contrasts of Health Care Spending and Achievement While some countries achieve high life expectancy with a little cost on health care, others spend heavily but mantain a relative low position in life expectancy rank. Source: United Nations In the graph below, the most intriguing comparison is between the U.S. and Cuba: Cuba achieves a life expectancy very similar to the U.S., while spending less than $200 per person on healthcare. The expense on healthcare in the U.S. ranks the highest in the world at $4,400 per person. 82 81 80 79 5.000 78 4.000 77 76 3.000 75 74 2.000 Switzerland Australia Canada France Italy Japan 1.000 Singapore Lauxembourg Sweden Austria Cuba Ireland Netherla ony Belgium Denmark America has the most fragmented health care system amongst the wealthy There are several different programs managed at federal On average, over 30% of the funds industrialized and state levels. disappear in administration costs, countries. This contributes to a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy. compared to less than 10% in other wealthy countries. The Consequences of Poor Health on Our Body Source: http://www.answerstohealthcare.com/articles/american-healthcare The relationship between poverty and a harder life for individuals is complex, in part because most variables, like health, can be both a cause and a result of poverty. Some research suggests that poor health is due, in part, to limited access to health care as well as exposure to environmental hazards and engaging in risky behaviors. Poor diet effects on health Our body need essential nutrients, such as protein, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals. Poor oral health A poor diet affect the body with consequences like weight loss, fatigue and weakness. Periodontitis and sometimes cavities are common in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). They can dangerously raise the morbidity curve Fatigue is the most common sign of a poor diet: cereal and white flour have little nutritional facts (which is why they are called empty calories). because of sistemic consequences (infections, protein-energy wasting, and arteriosclerosis. Alcohol consumption Alcohol produces brain and cell damage. Muffins, pastries and other packaged breakfast release a quick sugar high, but they do not contain the carbohydrates and fibers that supply energy to the body. If absorbed in large quantities, alcohol can cause liver problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, together with breaking normal sleep patterns and causing insomnia Poor nutrition can be also a factor of and stress. many diseases: high blood pressure and heart attacks are related to malnutr ition. Smoking Smoke produces many bad side effects such as lung cancer and heart disease Children in families with incomes below the poverty level actually consume more meat than do children in families with higher incomes (roughly $65,000 for a family of four). Lack of sleep and physical excercise Mental and emotional causes can raise stress, anxiety and consequently produce a sleep disorder. Also sleeping pills should be avoided without tight medical control, because of their side effects. Source: www.gaogov, www.livestrong.com, www.articledashboard.com/Article/The-Consequences-of-Poor-Nutrition, www.heritage.org/research/reports/2004/01/understanding-poverty-in-america, www.cjasn.asnjournals.org, http://EzineArticles.com/4028116 The Impact of Cost of Living on Health Health outcomes are worse for individuals with low incomes than for their more affluent counterparts. Lower-income individuals experience higher rates of chronic illness, disease, and disabilities, and also People without health insurance coverage die younger than those who have higher incomes. HOUSEHOLD INCOME I Less than $25,000 $25,000 to $49,999 The cost of healthcare $50,000 to $74,999 and the social consequences I $75,000 or more Prescription drug nonadherence due to cost: elderly adults age 65 or higher. 24.5% 26.6% Seniors that don't use prescription drugs as they should 21.1% 21:4% 26% 14.5% 16.0% Seniors without prescription drug coverage 7.8% 37% 9.1% Low-income seniors year 2007 35% 2009 Source: www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf www.solsticemed.com Source: McCarthy and Leatherman, 2006 solstice medicine company Inited Netherlands Martin Austria Czech Republic France Portugal Denmark Canada Denmar ark UNITED STATES New Caledonia Greece AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY Cyprus Croatia Spain Israel New Zealand Greece Finland United Kingdom UNITED STATES PER CAPITA SPENDING (U.S.$)