UW research: Americans are living longer, but getting sicker
Jul 10, 2013, 11:25 AM | Updated: 1:24 pm
The University of Washington contributed to new research that shows Americans are living longer, but are also sicker and suffering from more chronic disease than ever. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
Americans are living longer, but are also sicker and suffering from more chronic disease than ever.
Findings from a comprehensive study of global health show the U.S. spending more money on health care than other nations in the study. But University of Washington researcher Christopher Murray says the U.S. is losing ground to other countries in a variety of health measures, including quality of life.
“They’re also diseases that are on the rapid increase, Alzheimers, drug-use disorders, chronic kidney disease, diabetes,” said Murray.
The report in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows the U.S. is losing ground to other countries in the 34 nation study in many measures of health, including premature death. Many of the health problems in the U.S. are blamed on a poor diet and smoking.
“680,000 deaths attributable to poor diet, followed by tobacco, obesity and high blood pressure as the key contributors to ill health as risk factors,” explained Murray.
Researchers call on American leadership to set the U.S. on a healthier course.
“On the risk factor side, seeing what we can do to change the national diet towards the components that seem to have protective effects for heart disease and cancer,” said Murray.
A related study shows that despite increasing exercise, obesity is a growing problem in every part of the U.S.
