AMERICAblog: In the United States in the year 2008, life expectancy for many women is dropping.
Ginger_FL
· 1 year ago
It also might have to do with all the crap American's tend to eat and how obese most are. Typically people living in rual areas are poorer so they probably don't have health insurance so they would be more prone to die of treatable diseases.
S_in_Tokyo
· 1 year ago
The answer is simple. Most of your country is now "developing," not "developed."
jr
· 1 year ago
"we can only spend money on bombing Arabs"-republicans
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
i just read it in the Post..stunning,just stunning...as a woman i have no words.....cept stress also kils,and people are MORE stressed now than ever
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
In tandem with the obvious conclusions, consider the fact that for many of those women, the rise of work outside the home should also be considered. The stress of poor working conditions, caring for a family and home and having no downtime greatly contributes to these conditions.
Women have to do it all--unlike men. Additionally, the fact that most children are placed in mothers' homes rather than the fathers, that fathers in lots of these cases contribute absolutely nothing to the financial and well being of the children, places enormous stresses on the woman who never has the time to "do it all" very well, esp. when she is working for lower wages than most men. She has to worry about childcare, having enough of the right food (and the time to prepare it), meeting bills even some 2 wage earner families have trouble meeting, no health insurance, dental or vision care in many cases, etc., etc.
I'd say the lifestyle of a poor to lower middle income woman, esp. those with children, are probably contributing the most to the symptoms of diabetes, heart disease and obesity that result from such a lifestyle.
lynchie
· 1 year ago
OT: Just had a call from a friend in Pittsburgh. He says he and his son went to vote and there were people out front telling everyone to vote for Hillary. I told him to call the police and call Bob Casey's office and report the polling station as well as a description of the offenders.
lynchie
· 1 year ago
Older and Wiser: you are absolutely right. I think stress is a very unrecognized contributor to a lot of health issues, like cancer, heart failure and the like. In addition getting healthcare is becoming more and more difficult. The company i work for has a health plan but each year it covers less. Raise this year was 1-1/2% and the health plan went up $55 a month for all employees. With the high price of gasoline, heating oil, food ($1 for a Valencia orange at Giant Eagle), threats of being laid off, families are unde more stress than ever. Most of this is manifested into more battered wives, more abused children, higher levels of alcoholism, malnutrition, and with all of that McCain says we are better off now than ever before. This asshole has been a professional politician for 23 years, always covered by the best healthcare and now married to a millionairess. The Washington elitists are removed from the reality of working for a living and trying to make ends meet. We desparately need change. Not a single country offering Universal Healthcare has the deficit problems we have in America. If it is such a bad system why haven't countries switched back to our "wonderful" system?
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
And if you think I don't know what I'm talking about, I raised 2 children alone . I suprise myself for having lived to the age of 67...
Ksue
· 1 year ago
Older and Wiser and Lynchie,
DITTO!!! A thousand times over.
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
lynchie, good job! The Clinton thugs at work...
TomJoad
· 1 year ago
Lynchie, nail hit on the head. I am an American living in Norway. The "system" in the US is the pits. It most undoiubtedly is a major reason for the shortened lifespan of women, and is also to account for more suffering on the part of Americans while they wait to die.
In Norway, we have higher taxes, it's true. But if you add the cost of health care (even just to those that can afford it) and terrible service, it is cheaper here. The administration costs are cut way down. Norwegians complain about their own system, but they have never lived with the FEAR, dread, and utter despair we do in the US. They have no concept of how it is to know, sickness or an accident to one in your family could be the ruin of your family...loss of home, car, everything.
That is inhumane. Also, if you get daignosed with something life-threatening, norwegians don't know about how much distraction and how bad it is, when you have say Cancer to battle, that you have to battle and worry and depress over how in the world you will pay for it, etc.
Older people EVEN with money in the US, thinking if they just miss a payment on their health plan...dropped. Try finding another with a precondition.
It's sick. Truly sick. Doctors make a good living here, health care don't make enough money, but that is improving, they do a great job.
lilybart
· 1 year ago
They are FAT. Obesity will take this country down. It is only a health care problem because obesity is going to bankrupt us.
DO NOT BLAME THE HEALTH CARE MESS. Yes, we have a big problem with access to healthcare, but people would not need so much health care if they got off their butts, took a walk and not to a Dunkin donuts shop!
lynchie
· 1 year ago
Sure Americans have a weight problem. That too is related to stress. People eat crap because it makes them feel better, they know better but we all know about comfort food. Access to medical care has nothing to do with people being fat. Access is because they either don't have a health plan, the working poor make $7 or $8 an hour which equates to $15K a year before deductions, gas, clothes, and the basics. How much is left for a health plan. Women working at crappy jobs rush home to waiting families. Lack of income limits what they can purchase and then it is for the most part carbs. there is no time and money for nicely balanced meals. The obesity problem is made worse by the inclusion of High Fructose Corn syrup in everything including McDonald's burgers. Start looking at the labels on the food you buy.
ndtovent
· 1 year ago
I'm very late to the thread, but GOOD comment! How apropos (sp) that you mention dunkin donuts. They have a new campaign slogan now which I've seen in numerous commercials "america runs on dunkin." They even have Rachel Ray as their main spokeswoman doing those commercials and spewing that same slogan to the public (ironically, her "30 minute meals" cooking show stresses many traditional classic dishes with a healthy twist -- I guess everyone has their price).
TomJoad
· 1 year ago
Here's a novel thought too....professional politicians (Bush, McCain, Clinton, Obama) I like Obama, because he SEEMS to get that he is one lucky SOB. Clinton and the rest could learn this one lesson.
That they are priveledged, not US for getting to choose them, they are priveledged to be part of the elite, be paid to govern and be the boss of bosses, priveledged to be able to NOT work back breaking jobs, day in and out, with NO pay, no advancement, not even enough to put a roof over your head and food on the table. THEY get health care, they get to be stars.
I want to start hearing a little humility out of these bastards, instead of the arrogant "you NEED me...!" crapola.
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
Busboy, there's a trend out there among the people for universal health care. McCrazy's plan is even worse. We'll have to take the necessary baby steps to finally ensure this.
You should know that Congress would never let the insurance and health care companies totally collapse all at once. But if we're to have a healthy population, it has to be under universal health care, a one payer system, which will be phased in gradually.
lynchie
· 1 year ago
Do you think Hillary or McCain's wife or even Obama's actually go to the supermarket, i seriously doubt it. Remember when Pappy Bush saw a food scanner at a store and stated he had never seen one before, or our current President who does not know how much a gallon of gas costs. We have allowed the politicians to create an elitist group who are not accountable to us, are prepared to promise anything we want and we buy their crap time after time after time.
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
According to that study, 33% of women are now considered "obese" (note that it did not say "morbidly obese."
If the rate of hypertension among women over 60 is climbing, I'd say it had more to do with the food that's available in this country, with its partially hydrogenated fats, corn sugar, fructose and high calorie content than anything else, which contributes to increases in obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Try engaging in an exercise program when you've stood on your feet for 8 hours on a concrete floor...I did it for only 6 years and it has ruined my legs and feet.
Rob Mule
· 1 year ago
A sickening, criminal state of affairs...But, statistics like this regarding the American medical system graphically showcase the mind-altering, self-interest-shifting power of the similar domestic media infrastructure when twisted to corrupt PsyOp purposes by a few powerful businessmen, doctors and politicians, to name a few...
OlderAndWiser
· 1 year ago
As Madeleine Kahn once famously crooned, "I'm tired..." She spoke for millions and millions of women. I don't know how many women I ask, "How are you doing?" and get that response...
: )
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
Unfortunately, I don't hold out much hope for the average American to put A & B together and see how Republicans have driven this kind of outrageous consequence of handing health care money to their oil, gas and military corporations.
One fine example of how its is going to have to get worse to get better is that I was selling samples from our showroom at a local flea market. A fellow merchant came to look at my clothes. We lamented at the lack of people coming to shop. I told her people can't afford the gas anymore. She replied, "I KNOWWWW! My husband and I have to spend $25.00 per day to drive for our business and we can't afford ANYTHING anymore!" I related to her about how, for the first time in my life, someone used the excuse they couldn't come to an event because they couldn't afford the gas.
THEN, HERE IT IS!!! THE KICKER!!! THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...
She stopped, looked at me, and like a robot blurted out, "Those damned Democrats want us all to be poor..."
I told her, "Well, I can't continue to talk with you about this if you think Democrats are responsible for the high cost of oil and gas. If you can't see the connection between oil / gas prices and those two oil men in the White House, we are gonna have to just agree to disagree." She giggled, and said, "Yea, we better not talk politics!"
I have to admit, a lot of that conversation occurred because it took place in Oklahoma but my point is people have to HURT a helluva lot more to reexamine their FAULTY LOGIC that got them there in the first place. There is a large percentage of people who are very proud of their illogical beliefs and unfortunately its tied to their ego. They have to admit they were WRONG IN THE FIRST PLACE and, for most Republicans, its almost impossible to do that.
Depressing, I know, but its why Oklahoma is such a red state, I'm sure.
Rob Mule
· 1 year ago
" She giggled, and said, "Yea, we better not talk politics!"
Next is the "they're all the same" chestnut... It really is sad but, as the old expression goes, those who lay with dogs get up with fleas. Another Rush-rinsed Midwestern mind...
gonzalez
· 1 year ago
And yet, this people still vote for republicans. Would they ever learn?
DaveTheAngryRhodeIslander
· 1 year ago
I've been saying for years that we are fast on the way to becoming a Third-World nation. Our policies on nearly every important facet of health, science, education, and the environment are far behind the other industrialized nations. We are falling further behind with each passing year, and a lot of this is directly tied in to the rise of the republican party and the religious right.
Bubbles
· 1 year ago
"Another proud legacy of the Bush administration"
As a matter of fact, they are proud, as long as it's blacks, hispanics, working class poor, or some other group that either doesn't vote for them or is too dumb to look out for their own interest - they are proud, very proud.
They would brag about it in a heart beat if it helped them win elections.
Bubbles
· 1 year ago
Cowboy...
I saw that in Arizona last winter. People in the hair salon complaining about how Democrats are going to raise taxes etc... They don't understand that the wealthiest 1% have gained in the last 8 years while the rest of us have gone down hill. In my own case, I went from six figures to 2,300 a month, of which 1500 goes to paying for school loans and credit cards spending while I was unemployed for almost two years.
Other than that, things are great.
moreleesafer
· 1 year ago
People want to b$*^& and moan about how we can't do universal or gov't healthcare in this country. everytime they do I say...and do you remember we have a VA (in a sorry state but it exists), the military healthcare system, AND the healthcare insurance provided to our congress and the executive brance. soooooooo the health insurance Cheney gets is MORE that you are entitled to? why?
MorgaineSwann
· 1 year ago
It's not just smoking causing problems in Appalachia - it's lack of access to appropriate care for things like mentai illness, and the advent of dependence on prescription medications like Oxycontin. They can't keep a psychiatrist in this area - they stay for a couple of months then move on. Astronomical levels of diabetes and heart disease, aggravated by the poor starch and lard-based diet, are contributing factors. Here in Kentucky, 1 in 4 people is disabled. There's also a tendency for people to spend their working lives in the North or the East and then retire down here, so that makes the number higher. There really are two Americas, and it's poor America that is dying in increasing numbers.
PapayaSF
· 1 year ago
This study covered the years 1961 to 1999, so how can the results be "another proud legacy of the Bush administration"...?
Busboy
· 1 year ago
Both Hillary's and Obama's health care proposals involve letting the same corporations that ration health care to medicare and medicaid recipients ration health care to the general populace. Why would you want your life to hang in the balance because you were denied a procedure based upon your age or a non-related pre-existing condition ?
All Comments
Typically people living in rual areas are poorer so they probably don't have health insurance so they would be more prone to die of treatable diseases.
Women have to do it all--unlike men. Additionally, the fact that most children are placed in mothers' homes rather than the fathers, that fathers in lots of these cases contribute absolutely nothing to the financial and well being of the children, places enormous stresses on the woman who never has the time to "do it all" very well, esp. when she is working for lower wages than most men. She has to worry about childcare, having enough of the right food (and the time to prepare it), meeting bills even some 2 wage earner families have trouble meeting, no health insurance, dental or vision care in many cases, etc., etc.
I'd say the lifestyle of a poor to lower middle income woman, esp. those with children, are probably contributing the most to the symptoms of diabetes, heart disease and obesity that result from such a lifestyle.
We desparately need change.
Not a single country offering Universal Healthcare has the deficit problems we have in America. If it is such a bad system why haven't countries switched back to our "wonderful" system?
DITTO!!! A thousand times over.
In Norway, we have higher taxes, it's true. But if you add the cost of health care (even just to those that can afford it) and terrible service, it is cheaper here. The administration costs are cut way down. Norwegians complain about their own system, but they have never lived with the FEAR, dread, and utter despair we do in the US. They have no concept of how it is to know, sickness or an accident to one in your family could be the ruin of your family...loss of home, car, everything.
That is inhumane. Also, if you get daignosed with something life-threatening, norwegians don't know about how much distraction and how bad it is, when you have say Cancer to battle, that you have to battle and worry and depress over how in the world you will pay for it, etc.
Older people EVEN with money in the US, thinking if they just miss a payment on their health plan...dropped. Try finding another with a precondition.
It's sick. Truly sick. Doctors make a good living here, health care don't make enough money, but that is improving, they do a great job.
DO NOT BLAME THE HEALTH CARE MESS. Yes, we have a big problem with access to healthcare, but people would not need so much health care if they got off their butts, took a walk and not to a Dunkin donuts shop!
That they are priveledged, not US for getting to choose them, they are priveledged to be part of the elite, be paid to govern and be the boss of bosses, priveledged to be able to NOT work back breaking jobs, day in and out, with NO pay, no advancement, not even enough to put a roof over your head and food on the table. THEY get health care, they get to be stars.
I want to start hearing a little humility out of these bastards, instead of the arrogant "you NEED me...!" crapola.
You should know that Congress would never let the insurance and health care companies totally collapse all at once. But if we're to have a healthy population, it has to be under universal health care, a one payer system, which will be phased in gradually.
If the rate of hypertension among women over 60 is climbing, I'd say it had more to do with the food that's available in this country, with its partially hydrogenated fats, corn sugar, fructose and high calorie content than anything else, which contributes to increases in obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Try engaging in an exercise program when you've stood on your feet for 8 hours on a concrete floor...I did it for only 6 years and it has ruined my legs and feet.
: )
One fine example of how its is going to have to get worse to get better is that I was selling samples from our showroom at a local flea market. A fellow merchant came to look at my clothes. We lamented at the lack of people coming to shop. I told her people can't afford the gas anymore. She replied, "I KNOWWWW! My husband and I have to spend $25.00 per day to drive for our business and we can't afford ANYTHING anymore!" I related to her about how, for the first time in my life, someone used the excuse they couldn't come to an event because they couldn't afford the gas.
THEN, HERE IT IS!!! THE KICKER!!! THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...
She stopped, looked at me, and like a robot blurted out, "Those damned Democrats want us all to be poor..."
I told her, "Well, I can't continue to talk with you about this if you think Democrats are responsible for the high cost of oil and gas. If you can't see the connection between oil / gas prices and those two oil men in the White House, we are gonna have to just agree to disagree." She giggled, and said, "Yea, we better not talk politics!"
I have to admit, a lot of that conversation occurred because it took place in Oklahoma but my point is people have to HURT a helluva lot more to reexamine their FAULTY LOGIC that got them there in the first place. There is a large percentage of people who are very proud of their illogical beliefs and unfortunately its tied to their ego. They have to admit they were WRONG IN THE FIRST PLACE and, for most Republicans, its almost impossible to do that.
Depressing, I know, but its why Oklahoma is such a red state, I'm sure.
Next is the "they're all the same" chestnut...
It really is sad but, as the old expression goes, those who lay with dogs get up with fleas.
Another Rush-rinsed Midwestern mind...
As a matter of fact, they are proud, as long as it's blacks, hispanics, working class poor, or some other group that either doesn't vote for them or is too dumb to look out for their own interest - they are proud, very proud.
They would brag about it in a heart beat if it helped them win elections.
I saw that in Arizona last winter. People in the hair salon complaining about how Democrats are going to raise taxes etc... They don't understand that the wealthiest 1% have gained in the last 8 years while the rest of us have gone down hill. In my own case, I went from six figures to 2,300 a month, of which 1500 goes to paying for school loans and credit cards spending while I was unemployed for almost two years.
Other than that, things are great.