Putting the Health and Care in Healthcare

Red, white, and blue. The blue represents Americans’ collective mood. Is it our work-centric culture? Our reticence to discuss mental health? Our collective independence? Regardless the U.S. stands for Under Stress. But why are we so unhappy — at least compared to our Scandinavian brethren? Denmark and Norway top Forbes’ list of the world’s 10 happiest countries. The two countries pace CNBC’s list as well. By comparison, the stars and stripes check in at #15, lagging behind, umm, Costa Rica. The U.S. is an economic powerhouse; our personal incomes are steadily increasing too. But we are running, not walking, to the psychiatrist office for our monthly supply of happiness pills. What gives? And what differentiates ourselves from our smiling Scandinavian peers? Social support. And this theme manifests itself in our dueling health care systems. In the United States, our health care model is predicated on profit. Stratifying risk, insurance companies profiteer from an individual person’s sickness(es). The quality of your insurance fluctuates based on age, income, geography. While progressives call for a comprehensive health care system, universal health insurance remains deeply controversial among the public. Detractors disparage universal health care as “socialist” or “European.” We should be so lucky. According to The Commonwealth Fund, the United States spends more than its Western peers (including Denmark and Norway) on health insurance. The resul...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Health-related Personal Policy and Advocacy Stress affordable care act Health Care Health Insurance Healthcare Reform life expectancy Medicine Single Payer unemployment uninsured universal health insurance Source Type: blogs