The Emperor's New Crisis
By Sandy Szwarc 2004 Published 04/08/2004 TCS
On Sept 12, 2002, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson released the health statistics report from the Centers for Disease Control which revealed the average American's health "has changed dramatically for the better over the past 50 years." He announced: "In 2000, Americans enjoyed the longest life expectancy in U.S. history -- almost 77 years."1
The report documents that gains haven't been merely in lowered infant mortalities; death rates among adults have dropped 50%, too. Despite aging significantly, the population is healthier than ever. The four leading causes of death continue to see noteworthy improvements: Actual death rates due to heart disease are down 70%, strokes down 80%, cancer and unintentional injury deaths have been dropping for decades. Even children and young adults have enjoyed sharp declines in deaths from heart disease and cancer.2
In the HHS press release, Sec. Thompson said: "As we take better care of ourselves and medical treatments continue to improve, the illnesses and behaviors that once cost us the lives of our grandparents will become even less threatening to the lives of our grandchildren." CDC Director, Julie L. Gerberding, MD added: "Effective public health efforts, greater knowledge among Americans about healthier lifestyles and improved health care all have contributed to these steady gains in the nation's health."1
The CDC's records of actual causes of deaths brought good news indeed. But two years later, those very same figures were given a completely different spin....
-snip-
Rest of article can be found here.
By Sandy Szwarc 2004 Published 04/08/2004 TCS
On Sept 12, 2002, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson released the health statistics report from the Centers for Disease Control which revealed the average American's health "has changed dramatically for the better over the past 50 years." He announced: "In 2000, Americans enjoyed the longest life expectancy in U.S. history -- almost 77 years."1
The report documents that gains haven't been merely in lowered infant mortalities; death rates among adults have dropped 50%, too. Despite aging significantly, the population is healthier than ever. The four leading causes of death continue to see noteworthy improvements: Actual death rates due to heart disease are down 70%, strokes down 80%, cancer and unintentional injury deaths have been dropping for decades. Even children and young adults have enjoyed sharp declines in deaths from heart disease and cancer.2
In the HHS press release, Sec. Thompson said: "As we take better care of ourselves and medical treatments continue to improve, the illnesses and behaviors that once cost us the lives of our grandparents will become even less threatening to the lives of our grandchildren." CDC Director, Julie L. Gerberding, MD added: "Effective public health efforts, greater knowledge among Americans about healthier lifestyles and improved health care all have contributed to these steady gains in the nation's health."1
The CDC's records of actual causes of deaths brought good news indeed. But two years later, those very same figures were given a completely different spin....
-snip-
Rest of article can be found here.
Comments