Depressing Health News

The Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council recently release a very large report studying health trends in the USA and 16 other developed nations, including Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Portugal. The results are depressing:



US men ranked last in life expectancy; women were next to last.



Rate of firearm homicide is 20 times higher in the US than the other countries; firearm suicides are six times higher.



US has second highest death rate from heart disease and the second highest also for lung disease.



US has the highest diabetes rate.



US youth have the highest rate of STD, teen pregnancies and car crashes.



US citizens lose more years of life before age 50 to alcohol and drug abuse than any of the other countries.



Americans have the lowest probability overall of surviving to the age of 50 of the 16 countries studied.



The rate of US premature babies is comparable to the rates of sub-Saharan African countries.



I found this to be very sobering.

BoiseBYU wrote:

Rate of firearm homicide is 20 times higher in the US than the other countries; firearm suicides are six times higher.

Why does it matter what weapon was used in a homicide or a suicide? A murder is a murder and a self-inflicted death is a self-inflicted death, regardless of what instrument, tool, weapon, etc. was used.

Schmoe wrote:

Rate of firearm homicide is 20 times higher in the US than the other countries; firearm suicides are six times higher.

Why does it matter what weapon was used in a homicide or a suicide? A murder is a murder and a self-inflicted death is a self-inflicted death, regardless of what instrument, tool, weapon, etc. was used.

I am speculating, but perhaps because it is easier to kill someone with a gun, or to commit suicide with a gun than by other methods, it is a health care statistic worth noting?

BoiseBYU wrote:

BoiseBYU wrote:

Rate of firearm homicide is 20 times higher in the US than the other countries; firearm suicides are six times higher.

Why does it matter what weapon was used in a homicide or a suicide? A murder is a murder and a self-inflicted death is a self-inflicted death, regardless of what instrument, tool, weapon, etc. was used.

I am speculating, but perhaps because it is easier to kill someone with a gun, or to commit suicide with a gun than by other methods, it is a health care statistic worth noting?

Nice slight of hand. Guns are a health care statistic now huh?

BoiseBYU wrote:
The Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council recently release a very large report studying health trends in the USA and 16 other developed nations, including Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Portugal. The results are depressing:



US men ranked last in life expectancy; women were next to last.



Rate of firearm homicide is 20 times higher in the US than the other countries; firearm suicides are six times higher.



US has second highest death rate from heart disease and the second highest also for lung disease.



US has the highest diabetes rate.



US youth have the highest rate of STD, teen pregnancies and car crashes.



US citizens lose more years of life before age 50 to alcohol and drug abuse than any of the other countries.



Americans have the lowest probability overall of surviving to the age of 50 of the 16 countries studied.



The rate of US premature babies is comparable to the rates of sub-Saharan African countries.



I found this to be very sobering.

It is also worth noting that this was not the case until godless liberals got their way. But since the government is doing such a terrible job, certainly we should give them more power so they can really "fix" it even more.

So BoiseBYU, When you go fishing, what is it that you are trying to catch on your hook?

tww wrote:
So BoiseBYU, When you go fishing, what is it that you are trying to catch on your hook?

I have not a clue what you are driving at, but it looks like you are upset. All I did was cite some very depressing statistics about the state of health in our country. I'd think we'd be concerned and anxious to address. Take a deep breath my friend and not see shadows in every corner. Godless liberals indeed.

I think of some of the places that I've lived lately, Philadelphia, Houston and I can see why some of these statistics look so bad. It wouldn't surprise me if most of the gun crime committed in these statistics are committed by rival gangs in "gun restricted" areas. Most of the suicides by guns are probably replaced by another weapon or means of getting the job done in another country (hanging and jumping off buildings was quite popular in Ukraine while I was there). When you have mothers dumping their kids in a trash can in the bathroom trash can after giving birth in said bathroom it's no wonder our kids health is looking so bleak (and even sadder are the abortion statistics). When we are fueling diets with food stamps that are used to by sugar, salt and other unhealthy foods, while at the same time allowing participants to purchase cigarettes, drugs, etoh it's no wonder that the health statistics are so bad.



Doesn't really surprise me.

BoiseBYU wrote:
Godless liberals indeed.

Didn't hear anybody boo God at the GOP national convention. Just sayin.

Schmoe wrote:

Godless liberals indeed.

Didn't hear anybody boo God at the GOP national convention. Just sayin.

You guys see everything as godless liberals this and godless liberals that. How about just Godless? People don't keep the commandments and tragedy happens. People who stake their lives on ideology instead of commons sense and bad things happen. I post some depressing figures about the health of our country, whether it involves our children or our infants or our hearts or our lungs and TWW sees ideological conspiracy. Bottom line is it appears we have a health crisis in this country and you guys want to talk politics.

BoiseBYU wrote:

BoiseBYU wrote:
Godless liberals indeed.

Didn't hear anybody boo God at the GOP national convention. Just sayin.

You guys see everything as godless liberals this and godless liberals that. How about just Godless? People don't keep the commandments and tragedy happens. People who stake their lives on ideology instead of commons sense and bad things happen. I post some depressing figures about the health of our country, whether it involves our children or our infants or our hearts or our lungs and TWW sees ideological conspiracy. Bottom line is it appears we have a health crisis in this country and you guys want to talk politics.

I expressed my opinion. Our nation is in a bad way because of handouts. Not because of guns, not because of our health system. It's because people have no responsibility and let themselves fall apart physically. Your stats are deceitful, and political in and of themselves. They make it seem as though America isn't doing enough for her citizens, when in fact it is the system (handouts, bailouts, etc) that has allowed individuals to believe that they are "entitled" to lifestyles that are unsustainable. Stats like these will always be politically charged.

BoiseBYU wrote:
People who stake their lives on ideology instead of commons sense and bad things happen.

What this common sense is you speak of that is not being applied?



Not attacking, just wondering.

BroncoBot wrote:

Schmoe wrote:

Godless liberals indeed.

Didn't hear anybody boo God at the GOP national convention. Just sayin.

You guys see everything as godless liberals this and godless liberals that. How about just Godless? People don't keep the commandments and tragedy happens. People who stake their lives on ideology instead of commons sense and bad things happen. I post some depressing figures about the health of our country, whether it involves our children or our infants or our hearts or our lungs and TWW sees ideological conspiracy. Bottom line is it appears we have a health crisis in this country and you guys want to talk politics.

I expressed my opinion. Our nation is in a bad way because of handouts. Not because of guns, not because of our health system. It's because people have no responsibility and let themselves fall apart physically. Your stats are deceitful, and political in and of themselves. They make it seem as though America isn't doing enough for her citizens, when in fact it is the system (handouts, bailouts, etc) that has allowed individuals to believe that they are "entitled" to lifestyles that are unsustainable. Stats like these will always be politically charged.

There is much you say with which I agree. I think you draw conclusions that are not warranted though. The stats are not deceitful. They are what they are. They do not suggest that America is not doing enough any more than fathers aren't leading and teaching their families better. People can draw conclusions from them for sure, but my first one is not that it is America's fault. My conclusion from the stats is that people should live the word of wisdom and the law of chastity. That solve quite a bit of the problem right there.

BroncoBot wrote:

People who stake their lives on ideology instead of commons sense and bad things happen.

What this common sense is you speak of that is not being applied?



Not attacking, just wondering.

Fair question. I'm no smart guy but a few ideas I think would help would be to double the tax on cigarettes. This would drive youth smoking rates down and decrease smoking. Another would be to post calories on menus. I think there's research that this might lead to people choosing better foods. These are govt ideas. The more important ideas all happen in the home--living and teaching the Gospel.

BoiseBYU wrote:

BoiseBYU wrote:

BoiseBYU wrote:
Godless liberals indeed.

Didn't hear anybody boo God at the GOP national convention. Just sayin.

You guys see everything as godless liberals this and godless liberals that. How about just Godless? People don't keep the commandments and tragedy happens. People who stake their lives on ideology instead of commons sense and bad things happen. I post some depressing figures about the health of our country, whether it involves our children or our infants or our hearts or our lungs and TWW sees ideological conspiracy. Bottom line is it appears we have a health crisis in this country and you guys want to talk politics.

I expressed my opinion. Our nation is in a bad way because of handouts. Not because of guns, not because of our health system. It's because people have no responsibility and let themselves fall apart physically. Your stats are deceitful, and political in and of themselves. They make it seem as though America isn't doing enough for her citizens, when in fact it is the system (handouts, bailouts, etc) that has allowed individuals to believe that they are "entitled" to lifestyles that are unsustainable. Stats like these will always be politically charged.

There is much you say with which I agree. I think you draw conclusions that are not warranted though. The stats are not deceitful. They are what they are. They do not suggest that America is not doing enough any more than fathers aren't leading and teaching their families better. People can draw conclusions from them for sure, but my first one is not that it is America's fault. My conclusion from the stats is that people should live the word of wisdom and the law of chastity. That solve quite a bit of the problem right there.

What we are going through is this:



We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.



http://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Our country would be much healthier, both mentally and physically, if people would accept and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Schmoe wrote:
Our country would be much healthier, both mentally and physically, if people would accept and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I wholeheartedly agree.



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Schmoe wrote:
Our country would be much healthier, both mentally and physically, if people would accept and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Yep, and because we (as a country) haven't done what the prophets warned nearly 20 years ago and are now seeing the fruits of our labors.

It would truly be fascinating to see these health numbers broken out by county. It would give us a much better idea what is the underlying cause of the problem and the best options to fix it.

BoiseBYU wrote:

The Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council recently release a very large report studying health trends in the USA and 16 other developed nations, including Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Portugal. The results are depressing:

Agree 100%. The U.S. is jacked up, and in a state of decline - IMHO. This report is a critical snapshot.

BoiseBYU wrote:

US men ranked last in life expectancy; women were next to last.

Boise, I'm not surprised. This is the result of lifestyle and culture choices. How we eat, workout, smoke, alcohol consumption, illegal drugs, violent people we allow to live amongst us, hours we work, and stress in our lives. It all take a toll and breaks us down on a wide spectrum.

BoiseBYU wrote:

Rate of firearm homicide is 20 times higher in the US than the other countries; firearm suicides are six times higher.

Not surprising at all. Look at how we deal with violent criminals - it's a revolving door. There is no rehabilitation or "fixing" violent criminals. Rather than a "gun" problem, we have a "repeat, violent criminal" problem. This stat can be impacted with more aggressive laws and enhanced jail sentences - with a no get out early program. As I have stated before, I would push for a law in all 50 states: Use a gun to commit a crime and jail for life. Use a gun and someone dies - death penalty.



Here's some stats from the U.S. Dept. of Justice - actual time served in prison.

Violent Offenses ~

Homicide: 27-39 mos.

Kidnapping: 31-45 mos.

Rape: 43-55 mos.

Sexual Assault: 25-30 mos.

Robbery: 30-41 mos.

Assault: 16-23 mos.



Considered non-violent (this does not mean these are not violent people, they just got caught committing a "non-violent" crime)

Burglary: 15-22 mos.

Larceny/Theft: 9-14 mos.

Motor Vehicle Theft: 8-13 mos.

Arson: 18-26 mos.

Drug possession: 8-12 mos.

Drug trafficking: 13-16 mos. (this is a huge red flag - lots of violence with drug traffickers)



Here's a news item from last night in Chicago ~



"Two gunmen shot a 14-year-old boy several times Friday night as he stood on his porch, leaving him to die in the front hallway of his Humboldt Park home, authorities said.



The shooting came just hours after a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot in a separate attack in the Little Village neighborhood. Including both homicides, at least six teens were shot since Friday afternoon, according to police.



In the Humboldt Park shooting, two male shooters opened fire about 11:50 p.m. in the 2400 block of West Augusta Boulevard, striking the boy multiple times in the chest, Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said."



I guarantee you, all the shooters involved here are hardcore gang bangers, involved in drug trafficking, and have prior criminal histories. I guarantee it. Why are these guys out on the street?

BoiseBYU wrote:

US has second highest death rate from heart disease and the second highest also for lung disease.

Agan, I am not surprised, when you look at our eating, smoking, alcohol consumption, work hours, and stress. This is, to a large degree, preventable through healthy lifestyles changes. But that requires discipline and effort - that's asking a lot. ;)

BoiseBYU wrote:


US has the highest diabetes rate.

I'm not surprised. A major cause of adult onset diabetes is obesity. We have an obesity problem in the USA. Again, it is directly related to lifestyle and eating habits.

BoiseBYU wrote:


US youth have the highest rate of STD, teen pregnancies and car crashes.

The predictable result of declining families, declining social mores, accepting immoral behavior as the norm, promoting immoral behavior as cool and the norm, partying, under-age drinking, wide acceptance of drug use in high schools, college, and our society at large.

BoiseBYU wrote:


US citizens lose more years of life before age 50 to alcohol and drug abuse than any of the other countries.

There ya go - the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices and stress.

BoiseBYU wrote:


Americans have the lowest probability overall of surviving to the age of 50 of the 16 countries studied.

We are reaping the fruit of a decadent, lifestyle society. Violence (revolving criminal justice system), lousy eating habits, lousy workout habits, long stressful work weeks to achieve the golden ring.



A society where Judaeo-Christian values are ridiculed, forbidden to make reference to in school or govt. Made fun of in Hollywood, and framed as extreme, or kooky in the media consistently - daily.

BoiseBYU wrote:


The rate of US premature babies is comparable to the rates of sub-Saharan African countries.

It's bad. We have the best medical care in the world - if you can access it and use it. Mothers that are still kids - living unhealthy lives. Drinking, smoking, using drugs while pregnant.



This is a complex problem, complicated by lousy lifestyles and millions of illegals in this country. I have personally delivered dozens and dozens of babies that received zero pre-natal care. Why? The mothers are illegal, have no money and no insurance. They wait till the baby comes, call 911, and let the U.S. taxpayer pay to deliver and care for an unhealthy baby with numerous health issues. It costs us billions of dollars across this nation. It is a very big problem

BoiseBYU wrote:


I found this to be very sobering.

Agreed. There are no easy answers. But, there are answers. The problem is, our politicians that have the power to solve these issues just kick the can down the road. They are spineless cowards. A large number of them, the majority, only concern is self preservation - getting re-elected. Look, they can't ever pass a budget that is required by Federal law, for over 3 years now. LOL!



If our political class will not tackle the tough issues and make the correct, difficult decisions - we are doomed. The report that you posted Boise shows a once great nation on a downward glide path.

:~(