Declining Health

Health problems are education problems.

Differences In Life Expectancy Due To Race And Educational Differences Are Widening, And Many May Not Catch Up

Abstract: It has long been known that despite well-documented improvements in longevity for most Americans, alarming disparities persist among racial groups and between the well-educated and those with less education. In this article we update estimates of the impact of race and education on past and present life expectancy, examine trends in disparities from 1990 through 2008, and place observed disparities in the context of a rapidly aging society that is emerging at a time of optimism about the next revolution in longevity. We found that in 2008 US adult men and women with fewer than twelve years of education had life expectancies not much better than those of all adults in the 1950s and 1960s. When race and education are combined, the disparity is even more striking. In 2008 white US men and women with 16 years or more of schooling had life expectancies far greater than black Americans with fewer than 12 years of education—14.2 years more for white men than black men, and 10.3 years more for white women than black women. These gaps have widened over time and have led to at least two “Americas,” if not multiple others, in terms of life expectancy, demarcated by level of education and racial-group membership. The message for policy makers is clear: implement educational enhancements at young, middle, and older ages for people of all races, to reduce the large gap in health and longevity that persists today.

More on Dogs and Cats

Animals aren't cheap, but that is because we are rich and willing to spend on their health.

Dogs can cost between $310 and $7,100 to maintain every year and between $4,070 and $101,070 to maintain over a lifetime, says Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. That’s more than kibbles and bits.

Cats are cheaper on average: between $490 and $940 per year and between $7,760 and $15,260 per lifetime. The annual costs take into account many factors, including food, toys, monthly veterinarian visits, and other essential supplies

The first year of owning a cat or dog costs substantially more than the average annual cost. For dogs, the cost of ownership for year one averages between $710 and $8,730; for cats, the cost is between $930 and $2,060. The reason why this cost varies from the average annual cost is due to the purchase price of the pet itself. While both cats and dogs can be found for around $50, some breeds of dogs are sold for $1,000 while select breeds of cats are sold for $750. In addition to the purchase cost, there is also spaying and neutering ($190-$220 for dogs, $145 for cats) as well as an initial medical exam ($70 for dogs, $130 for cats) to account for.

Pets in LA

My colleague Russ Kashian's sister to a comedic riff on pets in LA. Yet another example of why our healthcare "crisis" is a disease of the rich. We will spend money on our own health, adn our pets health, becuase we are rich. That is the reason for growing expenditures, not insurance companies, not obesity, not medical malpractice, and not big pharma.

Comparing Health Plans

Radio Times interviews a political scientist who compared the candidate's plans for health care.

Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane

Programs for 10/13/2008 to 10/17/2008
Monday 10/13/2008
Hour One
In the last presidential debate, John McCain referred to health care as a responsibility while Barack Obama called it a right. These statements are at the core of how the candidates have shaped their health care proposals. We turn to political science professor JONATHAN OBERLANDER whose comparison of the two plans was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Listen to this show via Real Audio | mp3 

Links to their plans can be found here.

Immigration and Health Insurance

According to EPI immigrants make up a portion of the uninsured, but don't explain the recent rise in uninsured.

NPR on Healthcare

NPR had a great Talk of the Nation on the current state of the Healthcare system. I disagree with Uwe Reinhardt, but he clearly lays out the issues like only a good economist can.