Have you watched Sicko already? It is very worth doing so.
In order to help put the health problem we are living in
better perspective, let me share now some of the insights
and advice that Bill Clinton gave us in San Francisco
recently at the Healthetc event sponsored by California
Pacific Medical Center and KCBS.
Some of the speech highlights:
1) Clinton's great overview of key comparative data:
* 16 vs 10-11: % GDP spent on health care in the US vs.
other industrialized countries. This percentage difference
equals around $800 billion annually!
* 84 vs 100: % population with some form of health
insurance in the US vs. other countries
* 34 and 37: ranking of the US system as measured by health
outcomes and life expectancy, respectively
* 34 vs 19: % health care costs spent on administration in
the US vs. other countries
2) President Clinton then outlined the 3 main problems with
US Healthcare as follows, empathizing that any serious,
long-term solution needs to address these 3 elements as a
whole:
* immoral unequal coverage, where a large percentage of
citizens lack access to quality care
* inefficient system: we pay more for less, as you could
see in Sicko
* we still focus more on disease than on health. But he is
hopeful about an increasing focus on wellness, absolutely
necessary to alleviate future cost pressures
3) Now, let's reflect on couple of (approximate) quotes
with profound wisdom
* "I am a testimonial for the best of American medicine.
Given my heart problems, it is a miracle I am here with you
today. These days I cannot stay more than 5 minutes in a
bad mood, because I remind myself how fortunate I am simply
to be alive"
* (when people were clapping and cheering to easy "sound
bites" while he was still trying to make a complex point)
"Please stop. I don't want you to boo or cheer, simply to
think on your own"
Amazing words.
In the afternoon, after his speech, we spent some time
talking with health providers and attending some panels,
such as the one put together by the Alzheimer's Association
on ways to prevent or delay Alzheimer's.
We were surprised at the amount of education still needed
to make the medical and health community incorporate
science-based advice on lifelong learning and mental
stimulation on top of "traditional" advice around nutrition
and physical exercise. The Alzheimer's Association is being
one of the pioneers with their "Maintain Your Brain"
campaign, suggesting a comprehensive set of health and
wellness guidelines we should all follow:
1) Stay mentally active: "Mentally stimulating activities
strengthen brain cells and the connections between them,
and may even create new nerve cells."
2) Remain socially active: "Social activity not only makes
physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it can reduce
stress levels, which helps maintain healthy connections
among brain cells"
3) Stay physically active: "Physical exercise is essential
for maintaining good blood flow to the brain as well as to
encourage new brain cells. It also can significantly reduce
the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, and thereby
protect against those risk factors for Alzheimer's and
other dementias."
4) Adopt a brain-healthy diet: "Research suggests that high
cholesterol may contribute to stroke and brain cell damage.
A low fat, low cholesterol diet is advisable. And there is
growing evidence that a diet rich in dark vegetables and
fruits, which contain antioxidants, may help protect brain
cells."
No doubt, Bill Clinton would agree with the importance of
these guidelines to ensure Baby Boomers can age in a
healthy way and prevent the health care system from being
overwhelmed with Alzheimer's related costs.
Let's watch with attention what the presidential candidates
propose to deal with this situation.
----------------------------------------------------
Alvaro Fernandez is the CEO and Co-Founder of SharpBrains,
which provides the latest science-based information for
Brain Health and Brain Fitness, and has been recognized by
Scientific American Mind, CBS, Forbes, and more. Alvaro
holds MA in Education and MBA from Stanford University, and
teaches The Science of Brain Health at UC-Berkeley Lifelong
Learning Institute. Learn more at
http://www.sharpbrains.com/hottopics .
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