Problems with the Healthcare System

The healthcare system is a huge aspect of our lives. Most people in the United States are born into this system, regardless of whether they are delivered at a hospital, or at their parent’s home.

Every day, millions of people go see their doctors, physical therapist, dentist, and nutritionist, in search for insights, care, and support. It is common for US citizens to be in the healthcare system from the moment they are born, until they die.

In the United States, the healthcare industry is composed of professionals and organizations that earn massive incomes. Statistics from 2016 estimate that national healthcare revenue is around $3 trillion dollars per year. This signifies a 5.3% increase since 2014, and it accounts for 17.5% of the United States Gross Domestic Product. (1) That means that almost a fifth of the money spent in the United States goes towards healthcare expenses. The average America is spending $10,000 a year on healthcare bills, and this number continues to rise.

People are getting sicker, more often, and at an earlier age. The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 17.% percent of children ages 6 to 11 are obese. (2) The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health shares that “Mental disorders are common among children in the United States”. Their data shows 21.4% of children aged between 13 and 18 have a severe mental disorder, with ADHD being the most common. Given what we know, we can’t ignore the massive role diets play on mental health.

This data shows how our ever expanding healthcare system is failing. Perhaps the worst sign of our deplorable healthcare environment is the current health of doctors and medical professionals. For example, researchers at the University of Maryland’s School of Nursing found that 55% of 2,103 nurses were obese. (3)

Additionally, Johns Hopkins Medicine has revealed that medical errors rank as the third leading cause of death in the United States. These medical mistakes vary from surgical complications that go unrecognized, to mix-ups with the medications patients receive. (4) There is clearly a need for improvement.

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