BS: Brits healthier than Americans

Subject: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 05:42 PM

Despite being healthier than our American counterparts,people in England die earlier, according to a new study.

Although older Americans suffer from higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer, Americans aged between 55 and 64 die at around the same age as older people in England, the study found.

But Americans aged 65 and over have a lower death rate than similar people in England, despite being sicker. Researchers at the Institute of Fiscal Studies and the Rand Corporation say the different approaches to healthcare in the US and UK may be behind the figures.

"If you get sick at older ages, you will die sooner in England than in the United States," said James P Smith, chair in labour markets and demographic studies at RAND.

"It appears that at least in terms of survival at older ages with chronic disease, the medical system in the United States may be better than the system in England."

Previous research by the same team found that Americans between 55 and 64 suffered from diseases such as diabetes at up to twice the rate which occurred in similar aged people in England. The trend was observed across all socioeconomic groups.

In the new study, they researchers analyzed data from surveys of people aged 50 and over in the United States and England - 20,000 people in the US Health and Retirement Survey and 12,000 in the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing.

The findings showed that Americans both suffered from higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, cancer and lung diseases compared to the English.

The same diseases also began at an earlier age in Americans compared to their English peers.

Despite this, death rates among Americans were about the same in younger age groups but lower at older ages compared to the English.

Researchers suggested that either the illnesses studied caused a higher number of deaths in England than in the United States or that people in England are diagnosed at a later stage of disease than occurs in the US.

Mr Smith said both explanations suggest the US has higher-quality medical care than England.

However, co-author James Banks from the Institute of Fiscal Studies said that the major problem was not one of health care: "It is a problem of excess illness and the solution to that problem may lie outside the health care delivery system. The solution may be to alter lifestyles or other behaviours."

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 06:40 PM

"Mr Smith said both explanations suggest the US has higher-quality medical care than England.

"

LOL For the rich me thinks

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 06:45 PM

For the rich and for those on Medicare.

The stats get better here after 65 years old.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Wesley S
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 07:24 PM

People in England die earlier because of stress. They tend to have more arguments about "What is Folk Music?".

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 05:26 PM

Then the political arguments of US 'catters should be knocking us off in droves decades earlier than the UK contingent. :)

I know I'm eating healthier, because I'm growing more of my own food. I make some more strategic choices about the meats I eat. And I rarely buy processed foods.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 05:54 PM

I think that for a lot of Americans the Political arguments aren't more serious than fights over one's favorite NASCAR driver.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 06:28 PM

So we're healthier and we die earlier...

That's an interesting definition of health.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 06:36 PM

The odd thing is, this list of life expectancy worldwide puts the United Kingdom at number 20, tying with Germany, and the United States at number 38, one place behind Cuba.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 06:41 PM

Simples - you have to be rich to make 65 in the USA. If you're rich and reach 65 there you can afford the expertise.

And the devil take the hindmost.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Leadfingers
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 10:38 PM

As Richard says - A GOOD Job with top rate Health Insurance , then Medicare after retirement ! Lousy Job and NO health insurance , you wont make it to Sixty ! And IF you do , you're probably already a Bankrupt !
At least with N H S its just the Post Code lottery against you

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 05 Nov 10 - 10:45 PM

Simples - you have to be rich to make 65 in the USA. If you're rich and reach 65 there you can afford the expertise.

No, Rich or poor, If you make it to 65 the Government pays!!

but younger than 65 and not working for a company with good insurance. When the money's all gone you can die.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: DougR
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 01:06 AM

That's funny Wesley! I wasn't aware you had a sense of humor.

Doug

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 03:20 AM

Brilliant, Wesley! ;-D

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: C-flat
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 04:19 AM

"So we're healthier and we die earlier...

That's an interesting definition of health."

Yeah McGrath, but we die healthier.

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 10:29 AM

Not in Glasgow though.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 10:38 AM

Thank Clapton that I live in Surrey then!

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 10:53 AM

That's what I intend to do...die healthier! ;-) I wonder if it helps to drink Guinness and say things like, "Oh, piss OFF, you stupid git!"?

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: C-flat
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 10:56 AM

Definately working for me, Little Hawk.

I'm going to Live til I'm old or die trying!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 10:59 AM

Little Hawk, that is exactly what you should not do.

But you knew, that already, didn't you?

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 11:06 AM

I've never been rich, rarely had health insurance and I'm well past 65.

"...you have to be rich to make 65 in the USA."

Several have agreed with that statement but not so. Sometimes it's just plain dumb luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 11:14 AM

leenieaieaaaa (?) - Heh! ;-) Yeah.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 04:50 PM

I wonder if consuming massive amounts of spotted dick would help?

And what about wearing a bowler hat and carrying a black umbrella in a casual but just slightly jaunty manner, and saying "Cheerio!" when leaving the establishment?

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 04:59 PM

I wonder if consuming massive amounts of spotted dick would help?

Not for Liberace.

Subject: RE: BS: Brits healthier than Americans
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Nov 10 - 05:07 PM

(snort!)