Video II: A case study on – Americans sicker than citizens of other developed countries (reported by
Carol Pearson, VOA news)
Transcription of the Story
US healthcare cost sets double in the last 30 years, but Americans are not necessarily healthier than
they were in the 1980s. Dr. Hamilton Moses analyzed the changes and trends. He published his findings
in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Dr.Moses: “All of our information comes from publicly available resources. That’s a very important
point. This is freely available information although the challenge was to compile it in a way
that was interpretable.”
The researchers found Americans spent between 2 and a half, and 3 trillion dollars on healthcare in
2011. More than any other developed country. And they found that 2 major factors are driving up the
cost. The first is that the price of medical and administrative services has gone up along with the cost of
drugs, procedures, and devices. Dr.Moses said Americans love of technology is part of the problem.
Dr.Moses: “The US has a technology bias. We have a technology preference. We look at technology for
the solution of all problems."
Even though technology can’t solve all the problems, the second factor is simple to identify but more
complex to address. Poor lifestyle habits such as 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.
Dr.Moses: We’ve not invested heavily in chronic care management or for that matter in healthcare
service innovation nearly to the degree that we have in medical technology.
Many of these diseases can be prevented through exercises, diet, and maintaining a healthy weight. Yet
in the U.S., prevention has not historically been part of medical care. Consulting with the nutritionists
either by phone or in person or participating in wellness activities can be expensive. And those services
are not normally covered by health insurance. Again Dr.Moses
Dr.Moses: “The overall amount of spending that occurs with people who have chronic illness is about
85% of the total.”
Dr.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. A new report from the organization of economic
cooperation and development shows that the US spends 2 and a half times more than other member
nations. And despite that, the United States trails other developed countries in life expectancy coming in
at 26th to place out of 36 members of the organization. Carol Pearson, VOA News.