American Exceptionalism

I have commented before on the falling life expectancy in the United States, following two decades during which gains lagged those in the other wealthy countries.I previously linked to this editorial in BMJ by two Americans, and I emphasized their discussion of the opioid epidemic, alcohol abuse and suicide as key factors in the recent decline. I put less emphasis on life expectancy in the U.S. falling behind in the longer term.While the U.S. is among the wealthiest countries, it has a higher poverty rate than most others, and provides far less in the way of basic family support, educational opportunity, and health care access. It is true that ordinary people have felt that the federal government has largely ignored their problems and that many people have been drawn to a so-called " populist " message of protest. But the message they heard, and responded to, was a lie.The struggles Americans face are not caused by immigration, or international trade, or tax money going to a secret welfare program that only Blah people can get. Here ' s the policy prescription from Woolf and Aron:In theory, policy makers jolted by the shortening lifespan of Americans would hasten to correct these conditions. They would promote education, boost support for children and families, increase wages and economic opportunity for the working class, invest in distressed communities, and strengthen healthcare and behavioral health systems. But the pro-business policy agenda favored by elected officials ...
Source: Stayin' Alive - Category: American Health Source Type: blogs