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American-seniors-are-sicker-than-global-peers story.
GaleHawkins
Posts: 8,159 Member
https://cbsnews.com/news/american-seniors-are-sicker-than-global-peers/
Is it just due to the way we think, eat and move that makes us sicker than our peers in other industrialized nations?
Is it just due to the way we think, eat and move that makes us sicker than our peers in other industrialized nations?
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Replies
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Most of the survey isn't really about how sick people are, but their care and ability to afford it. See http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/news/news-releases/2017/nov/ihp_2017_release_11_14_17_final-rev2.pdf
Portraying it as about sickness seems somewhat misleading. What I'm seeing is that more in the US have three or more chronic conditions, but how those are diagnosed, what the meaningful difference is, etc., does not seem to be explored. Similarly, more are high needs, but that also does not seem to be explored in terms of how identified. I suspect elderly people in the US ARE sicker on average, but I don't think this survey is very helpful in exploring that and it seems to be focused much more on other things -- financial need and care.
In any event, you don't mention that the article you linked had a theory:
"Americans have much higher rates of obesity compared to other nations, resulting from lack of exercise and eating too much unhealthy food. For example, the Stanford Center on Longevity Sightlines project reports that only about one in four Americans of all ages eats the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, just 37 percent of those age 65 to 74 exercise the recommended 150+ minutes each week and the same percentage of that group are obese."
The question would be -- and I don't see it answered here -- how that relates to the diagnosed conditions and how the US results compare to those in other countries (as identified by the same survey so we know methodology is comparable).
US/other country results should also differentiate by obesity level, income, and race.15 -
I'd be interested to know the impact on healthcare systems on these stats...2
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Alatariel75 wrote: »I'd be interested to know the impact on healthcare systems on these stats...
The driver is the stats @lemurcat12 pointed out, lack of movement, poor dietary habits, fat. These things have been festering in the population for years. Often it's not until older age when the full impact is known.
Can't expect some pill or procedure to come riding to rescue us from years of crappy behavior but personal responsibility is a dirty phrase.8 -
If only those seniors walked a quarter mile a day, and found their one true macro they'd be so much healthier.17
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GaleHawkins wrote: »
Whooosh!15 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »
That's running about 15 miles per week at a 10 min mile, or 7.5 miles per week at a 20 min mile pace (if that counts as exercise for the purposes of this recommendation). .25 miles per day would be clearly below the recommendation.
Fruits and veg are mostly carbs. I'd suggest that they are an excellent part of a balanced diet involving all three macros.4 -
Cool data! One of my things.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240855/How-does-nation-rank-world-map-life-expectancy.html
Glad I’m Canadian. I’m pretty sure our obesity rates are on par with the US.0 -
I was wrong. Canada is a little better off.
https://en.actualitix.com/country/wld/obesity-adult-prevalence-rate.php2 -
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It's no secret that not just our seniors, but most of the population is in bad health and fitness.
I am 64 and jog occasionally. I run past people my age and younger. They look shocked as I jog by and the looks and comments are pretty funny. The truth is, I sacrifice nothing to be fit. I eat sensible and exercise. It doesn't have to be this way8 -
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I think US results get skewed because the country is not homogenous. There are definite haves and have nots.
The yellow counties in this map are much healthier. Ask yourself what makes them different.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/life-expectancy-by-county3 -
I think US results get skewed because the country is not homogenous. There are definite haves and have nots.
The yellow counties in this map are much healthier. Ask yourself what makes them different.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/life-expectancy-by-county
I'll bite. Why is rural Minnesota so very yellow?1 -
Cool data! One of my things.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240855/How-does-nation-rank-world-map-life-expectancy.html
Glad I’m Canadian. I’m pretty sure our obesity rates are on par with the US.
That's interesting, and kind of surprising. I didn't know my country ranks high on life expectancy. It's surprising because it also has one of the highest smoking rates in the world. Must be because of our one true macro
(average >60% of energy intake from carbs).
It's interesting how much of a difference affordable health care makes.5 -
I thought this was a thread about old people being disgusting. I declare myself disappointed and take my leave4
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Along the lines of how healthcare fits into this could overdiagnosing and prescribing figure into this too? I'm not from the US but surely the privatised model insentivises doctors to prescribe medication and therefore diagnose people with health problems that in other other countries might just be lumped in with 'getting old'
This is starting to happen in the UK as more private companies are getting involved with the NHS. Statins are pretty much routinely prescribed to over 70s even though the rationale for this is weak. Many older people take so many pills that they can't remember what is for what ailment. Surely that is a dangerous way to live.1 -
@tomteboda I have to check out Minnesota. Fresh air?0
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suzannesimmons3 wrote: »Cool data! One of my things.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240855/How-does-nation-rank-world-map-life-expectancy.html
Glad I’m Canadian. I’m pretty sure our obesity rates are on par with the US.
I wouldn't believe the mail if it told me the sun was hot.
I linked the article for the map alone. Is the map wrong?
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Here’s another world map, not from the Daily Mail.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/world-health-rankings
Canada ranks slightly better off than the US, which is consistent with the other maps.
Canada has some shameful pockets too. We have to do a better job of engaging our native nations and communities.0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Cool data! One of my things.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240855/How-does-nation-rank-world-map-life-expectancy.html
Glad I’m Canadian. I’m pretty sure our obesity rates are on par with the US.
That's interesting, and kind of surprising. I didn't know my country ranks high on life expectancy. It's surprising because it also has one of the highest smoking rates in the world. Must be because of our one true macro (average >60% of energy intake from carbs).
It's interesting how much of a difference affordable health care makes.
Again, need to emphasize personal responsibility. Sure people need healthcare, but if they ate a healthy diet, not too much food to make them fat, moved, etc, the need for healthcare is reduced.3 -
suzannesimmons3 wrote: »Cool data! One of my things.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240855/How-does-nation-rank-world-map-life-expectancy.html
Glad I’m Canadian. I’m pretty sure our obesity rates are on par with the US.
I wouldn't believe the mail if it told me the sun was hot.
I know, I didn't click on the link although the underlying source might be fine. I certainly would want to see it from the better source, and not the Mail's spin/interpretation.0 -
Here’s another world map, not from the Daily Mail.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/world-health-rankings
Canada ranks slightly better off than the US, which is consistent with the other maps.
Canada has some shameful pockets too. We have to do a better job of engaging our native nations and communities.
What's the source? I couldn't easily tell from the site.
Here's the WHO:
Healthy life expectancy at birth: http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.HALE?lang=en
Life expectancy at birth: http://apps.who.int/gho/data/view.main.SDG2016LEXv?lang=en
I did not compare the numbers, they might be identical -- Canada scores better here too, as does most of Europe (neither of which surprises me).1 -
If only those seniors walked a quarter mile a day, and found their one true macro they'd be so much healthier.
Cute, but not appropriate. The OP on this thread was civil.
Personally, looking at people my age (62) around me - people I know well and value in my life - I think it's deeply saddening how many people
* eat poorly;
* eat too much;
* believe inaccurate things about food ("salad is a low calorie choice");
* eschew exercise because it's too hard and sweating is icky;
* avoid daily-life movement/effort as much as possible for "efficiency";
* believe absurd popularized myths about achieving healthy weight (monster workouts required, everyone will lose weight eating ad libitum as long as they eliminate carbs 100%, sugar is the very devil irrespective of dosage/context, etc.).
And it really, really breaks my heart that so many of my friends believe improvement (strength, CV fitness, weight) is impossible "at our age". It's tragic.18 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Cool data! One of my things.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240855/How-does-nation-rank-world-map-life-expectancy.html
Glad I’m Canadian. I’m pretty sure our obesity rates are on par with the US.
That's interesting, and kind of surprising. I didn't know my country ranks high on life expectancy. It's surprising because it also has one of the highest smoking rates in the world. Must be because of our one true macro (average >60% of energy intake from carbs).
It's interesting how much of a difference affordable health care makes.
sure is...but I wonder how many of us take advantage of it...really???? I only go when I have to...1 -
Canada is not more walkable than the US. Our obesity rates are only marginally better. Our restaurant food portions are much smaller and our food choices generally saltier.
I don’t think our nation is more disciplined than our American cousins.
Two big factors I believe is our smaller income inequality (The social safety net is broader). And of course universal health care.5 -
@jgnatca I think income is a factor. While I live in the red zone the difference in the adjoining where I live/work where I work has 2 year better life expectancy than where I live. The last time I checked there was $10K difference in income. Well education is also higher due to being the home of Murray State University. Well ed and income are related anyway.2
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I think US results get skewed because the country is not homogenous. There are definite haves and have nots.
The yellow counties in this map are much healthier. Ask yourself what makes them different.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/usa/life-expectancy-by-county
I'll bite. Why is rural Minnesota so very yellow?
I've read in the past that Minnesota is one of the least obese states in the US. Active lifestyle, walkable cities, supportive of biking, lots of farmers markets etc. The MN govt started a bunch of health initiatives too a few years ago to encourage physical activity, hoping to be an example for the rest of the country on how to stop the obesity epidemic. Not sure if any of that accounts for the rural counties though.2
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