Opinion: The decline in American life expectancy harms more than our health
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American life expectancy started dropping even before the pandemic. Rates of depression have risen from 30% to 42% since the turn of the century. Vaccine-preventable illnesses and sexually transmitted infections have increased. COVID-19 became one of the top three causes of death in the country. A one-year increase in life expectancy could boost economic output by 4%. The U.S. spends $4.5 trillion annually on health. Public health investments are crucial for economic productivity. Access to healthcare and insurance play a role, but resources like clean air and water, affordable housing, and safe workplaces are better predictors of good health. Programs addressing basic needs during the pandemic enhanced housing stability and curbed COVID spread. The U.S. lacks universal paid sick leave and family medical leave. The majority of health spending goes to treating people when they are already sick. Treating public health as an economic imperative could improve wellbeing and productivity.
#LifeExpectancy #PublicHealth #Economy #Healthcare #Covid19
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-04-16/united-states-economy-covid-public-health
Los Angeles Times /
npub1ka…ct50x
2024-04-16 10:28:22
Author Public Key
npub1kat3x50s05kl9v0lqxq5qsl0znf0eu2rwyeq4xyplj80ga740k9q9ct50xPublished at
2024-04-16 10:28:22Event JSON
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"content": "Opinion: The decline in American life expectancy harms more than our health\n==========\n\nAmerican life expectancy started dropping even before the pandemic. Rates of depression have risen from 30% to 42% since the turn of the century. Vaccine-preventable illnesses and sexually transmitted infections have increased. COVID-19 became one of the top three causes of death in the country. A one-year increase in life expectancy could boost economic output by 4%. The U.S. spends $4.5 trillion annually on health. Public health investments are crucial for economic productivity. Access to healthcare and insurance play a role, but resources like clean air and water, affordable housing, and safe workplaces are better predictors of good health. Programs addressing basic needs during the pandemic enhanced housing stability and curbed COVID spread. The U.S. lacks universal paid sick leave and family medical leave. The majority of health spending goes to treating people when they are already sick. Treating public health as an economic imperative could improve wellbeing and productivity.\n\n#LifeExpectancy #PublicHealth #Economy #Healthcare #Covid19\n\nhttps://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-04-16/united-states-economy-covid-public-health",
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