Saturday, March 16, 2013

U.S. health care system: managing disease or managing health?


As a doctor, nothing has brought more concern and frustration than the current state of our health system.  The system is unhinged, broken and quite frankly--ineffective.

Recently, Andrew Weil, MD, author of "You Can't Afford to Get Sick: Your Guide to Optimum Health and Health Care," wrote an article for CNN calling the U.S. health system, one that "manages disease, not health."  This article rings a similar tone to the post that I recently shared concerning the failed flu vaccine, and the industry being corrupted by the prospect of money before health.  

The excellent point that Weil makes in his article, is that educating citizens on how to take a proactive approach to their health is significantly lacking.  Instead of encouraging citizens to embrace a clean diet, an active lifestyle and natural/therapeutic tools to manage stress and ailments, the system implements expensive drugs and surgeries once the conditions manifest themselves. 

According to the article,
"The U.S. "currently ranks lowest on a variety of health measures," concludes a new report from an expert panel commissioned by the National Institutes of Health. Specifically, Americans have more obesity, more sexually transmitted diseases, shorter life expectancies and higher infant mortality than the inhabitants of nearly all of the 16 developed "peer" countries studied."
Yet, the U.S. spends more on health care than any other country, and there are still 30 million people unable to access it.  The numbers do not add up.  There is nothing healthy about this system of health care.

This Saturday, March 16th, CNN will re-air the compelling documentary, "Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare."  Please consider watching this film.  We must understand what is happening within our health care system before we can become advocates for change.  And change, is what we desperately need.

Obamacare as it currently seems to stand is NOT the solution.  We need an effective health care program to promote healthy living, teach proactive measures to sustain health, and a program that will encourage natural remedies first, and not costly and often dangerous measures to mask ailments.  
Your turn: What improvements would you suggest are needed in order to help Americans truly become more healthy and decrease cost? I REALLY want to hear from you!

Best in health, naturally,

Dr. Marc

1 comments:

Connie March 17, 2013 at 11:30 PM  

Excellent information! I truly hear your frustration and wish we could all find hope in the future of our healthcare system. Unfortunately, there is much to be desired as it currently stands. Our concerns are with all healthcare professionals as they muddle through the endless paperwork to keep the system going. You're right--they do NOT keep our good health going.

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This information on this web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting Dr. Marc, your pediatrician or family doctor.

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