"The United States ranks 31st in life expectancy (tied with Kuwait and Chile), according to the latest World Health Organization figures .... (but) there is one American health statistic that is strikingly above average: life expectancy for Americans who have already reached the age of 65.
At that point, they can expect to live longer than the average in industrialized countries. That’s because Americans above age 65 actually have universal health care coverage: Medicare".
When these stats are controlled for traumatic deaths (GSW's, Auto, etc), then US stats become exemplary. Statistics are like bikini bathing suits. What they reveal is suggestive. What they conceal is vital.
ReplyDeletedoc 99
ReplyDeletenonsense! infant mortality statistics are not likely skewed by traumatic deaths.
do you prefer boxers to bikini? lol
cr
Infant mortality is also misleading since different countries have varying criteria for viability. Also, our problem is prematurity which speaks for social issues outside the realm of healthcare.
ReplyDeleteAre you stalking me?
Finally, here's change I can believe in. A pity the Congress won't incorporate the best ideas of both plans in something truly bipartisan. The PelosiPalooza isn't reform, it's a hostile takeover.
Healthcare and Infant Mortality
ReplyDeleteMore here. Also, Here.
The Skeptical OB debunks the "detailed infant mortality report."
ReplyDelete...
So our higher rate of infant mortality does not reflect poor medical care. It reflects factors beyond the control of doctors. Race is an uncontrollable factor; obstetricians and pediatricians have no control over assisted reproductive techniques. In fact, the data actually show obstetricians and pediatricians do a remarkable job of ensuring infant health.
Dr. MacDorman's bias is most evident is her gratuitous swipe at obstetricians. According to the Times article:
Another factor in the United States, she said, is the increasing use of Caesarean sections and labor-inducing drugs to deliver babies early. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has guidelines stating that babies should not be delivered before 39 weeks without a medical reason, but doctors may be declaring a medical need more quickly than they did in the past.
"I don't think there are doctors doing preterm Caesarean sections or inductions without some indications," Dr. MacDorman said, "but there sort of has been this shift in the culture. Fifteen or 20 years ago, if a woman had high blood pressure or diabetes, she would be put in the hospital, and they would try to wait it out. It was called expectant management.
"Now I think there's more of a tendency to take the baby out early if there's any question at all."
Dr. MacDorman neglects to mention that there is no evidence that such births are contributing in any way to the infant mortality rate. Indeed, the existing evidence suggests that these births actually save lives. During the time period when early deliveries increased, the rate of stillbirth dropped by 29%.
Doc 99,
ReplyDeleteyou say "So our higher rate of infant mortality does not reflect poor medical care. It reflects factors beyond the control of doctors. (for example) Race is an uncontrollable factor"
I say, Bunk - access (and any health care disparity )s is a controllable factor. while an individual physician may have little control, our system needs to do a better job. this is the essence of our health care debate!
cr