Quote from: Lennys Tap on December 14, 2024, 05:37:57 PMOf course, never said we shouldn't.

Sean said that our Healthcare system was at fault for the US having lower life expectancies than some other countries. I pointed out that the biggest reason for lower life expectancies wasn't the Healthcare system - it was that, as a country (and compared to other countries) we're overweight. Add to that we don't exercise enough.

You know what would help combat obesity? Easier and regular access to healthcare.

Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on December 14, 2024, 05:46:10 PMExcept our infant mortality rates are also awful. We went from top ten in the world around 1950 to around 60th. All of Western Europe has lapped us.

OK. Never said our Healthcare system wasn't to blame there.

Quote from: Lennys Tap on December 14, 2024, 06:12:55 PMOK. Never said our Healthcare system wasn't to blame there.

Infant mortality is a variable in life expectancy

Quote from: Lennys Tap on December 14, 2024, 06:12:55 PMOK. Never said our Healthcare system wasn't to blame there.

Don't you think that if babies are born into a poor health system, that it matters down the line?

I understood the "access and innovation" argument that was made 15-20 years ago, but that's just not the case now. Our health system is terrible for a country as wealthy as ours. I am lucky to have good insurance and make enough to cover what we need to. A lot of people don't.

Quote from: jesmu84 on December 14, 2024, 06:14:02 PMInfant mortality is a variable in life expectancy

Quote from: #UnleashSean on December 14, 2024, 05:49:03 PMYou know what would help combat obesity? Easier and regular access to healthcare.

Not nearly as much as self control, exercise, etc.. Look, our Healthcare system deserves some blame, but don't you believe in any personal responsibility?

Quote from: Lennys Tap on December 14, 2024, 07:18:09 PMNot nearly as much as self control, exercise, etc.. Look, our Healthcare system deserves some blame, but don't you believe in any personal responsibility?

Yeah those infants need to understand when the going gets tough, the tough get going

Pull themselves up by their diaper straps and get off the dole.

Quote from: Lennys Tap on December 14, 2024, 07:18:09 PMNot nearly as much as self control, exercise, etc.. Look, our Healthcare system deserves some blame, but don't you believe in any personal responsibility?

Being responsible for your fitness level is a lot easier when you have money and access to reasonably affordable healthy food. Childhood obesity is significantly higher among poor families who also have less access to affordable or company sponsored healthcare

Quote from: BM1090 on December 15, 2024, 12:02:36 AMBeing responsible for your fitness level is a lot easier when you have money and access to reasonably affordable healthy food. Childhood obesity is significantly higher among poor families who also have less access to affordable or company sponsored healthcare

Don't be poor

Perhaps we should stop the practice of employer sponsored health insurance. I'm wondering if it is like the college loan practice where only the student loses out.

Quote from: #UnleashSean on December 14, 2024, 05:49:03 PMYou know what would help combat obesity? Easier and regular access to healthcare.

Gym membership being part of health care plans would also help.

Why didn't the Tutsis just move if their neighbors didn't like them? - LT

Quote from: Hards Alumni on December 15, 2024, 09:36:51 AMGym membership being part of health care plans would also help.

A lot of plans already offer discounted memberships.

If they did decide to completely cover gym memberships, there would need to be some sort of attendance requirement. A significant number of members don't even go to the gym on a regular basis even when they are paying for it themselves.

My Medicare Part B insurer picks up my Y membership via the Silver Sneakers program.

My past employer picked up my fitness club membership with the stipulation that if you didn't go at least once a month you would lose it.

My wife is a registered dietician with WIC. 
Educating people on healthy items to eat is a part of it.
Fortunately, fresh vegetables and fruits are very reasonably priced.
I have to assume it is because, it has a short shelf life, so make it reasonable to buy versus spoil.
But if someone does not see the value of fresh fruits and vegetables, they will just buy what they always do regardless.
WIC can't do it all, but it helps.

nm

Quote from: warriorchick on December 15, 2024, 06:57:40 PMA lot of plans already offer discounted memberships.

If they did decide to completely cover gym memberships, there would need to be some sort of attendance requirement. A significant number of members don't even go to the gym on a regular basis even when they are paying for it themselves.

I had a previous plan that covered a portion of my membership as long as I went a minimum of times per month (it was a reasonable amount, 12 or something like that). My current plan offers discounted memberships that have no attendance requirement for gyms and discounted plans at specialty gyms. For example, I can get an 8 classes/month plan at Orange Theory for $40/month less than if I went into the studio to sign up.

Quote from: Lennys Tap on December 14, 2024, 07:18:09 PMNot nearly as much as self control, exercise, etc.. Look, our Healthcare system deserves some blame, but don't you believe in any personal responsibility?

That reminds me of stories my dad would tell of patients who refused to quit smoking despite his strong advice to do so. People have their vices and too often refuse to give them up despite the health benefits of doing so. I can personally attest to giving up pop after experiencing weight gain and getting multiple cavities after pounding all of the free stuff available at my office for an extended period. I'm not a big government person but I am not opposed to sin taxes on unhealthy products; it worked with cigarettes.

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on December 16, 2024, 10:03:23 AMThat reminds me of stories my dad would tell of patients who refused to quit smoking despite his strong advice to do so. People have their vices and too often refuse to give them up despite the health benefits of doing so. I can personally attest to giving up pop after experiencing weight gain and getting multiple cavities after pounding all of the free stuff available at my office for an extended period. I'm not a big government person but I am not opposed to sin taxes on unhealthy products; it worked with cigarettes.

Europeans smoke much more than US. But their life expectancy is better.

We have adopted a system where insurance providers are incentivized to deny payment for care.  Profits over patients.  De facto death panels.

Quote from: jesmu84 on December 16, 2024, 11:36:13 AMEuropeans smoke much more than US. But their life expectancy is better.

The EU as an body has a percentage of 19.7% of persons over 15 who smoke whereas the US is at 19.8%.

Lack of ultra processed foods is probably a significant factor in that. In the US, UPFs make up about 60% of daily caloric intake, while in Europe, they range from 14–44%. UPFs include snacks, soft drinks, cookies, candy, and processed meats

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on December 16, 2024, 11:51:49 AMThe EU as an body has a percentage of 19.7% of persons over 15 who smoke whereas the US is at 19.8%.

Lack of ultra processed foods is probably a significant factor in that. In the US, UPFs make up about 60% of daily caloric intake, while in Europe, they range from 14–44%. UPFs include snacks, soft drinks, cookies, candy, and processed meats

What's your source for smoking percentages?

Good news for CEO's feeling unsafe:

https://bsky.app/profile/kenklippenstein.bsky.social/post/3ldgyd7bdrk22

Quote from: jesmu84 on December 16, 2024, 01:21:27 PMWhat's your source for smoking percentages?

Here's the Europe data: https://www.euronews.com/health/2023/08/14/smoking-in-europe-which-countries-are-the-most-and-least-addicted-to-tobacco-and-vaping#:~:text=Daily%20percentage%20of%20smokers%20among%20persons%20aged%2015%20and%20over&text=Source:%20Eurostat.,as%20well%20as%20public%20places.

Here's the US data:https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/php/data-statistics/adult-data-cigarettes/index.html#:~:text=Tobacco%20product%20use%20remains%20the,reported%20current%20tobacco%20product%20use.

Ireland has dropped significantly over the past 20 years. When I was there in the early 2000s and read about smoking bans in pubs I laughed at the idea it would ever work, but since it was implemented in 2004 the percentage of smokers has dropped from 27%.