Carl Bialik posted an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal a few weeks ago. Grab it Here If You Want. The article, “Ill- Conceived Ranking Makes for Unhealthy Debate” discussed the flaws in the data used by the World Health Organization nearly a decade ago to come up with the infamous “37th in the world” ranking we’re all familiar with. I actually think he got his title backward, it should read “Ill-Conceived Ranking Makes for Healthy Debate.”
One of the primary objectives of the World Health Organization when they released the study was to “stimulate debate and focus on health systems” as opposed to just focus on individual components. The data and methodologies weren’t perfect, but it provided a benchmark. We all knew we could do better particularly when the cost is added to the formula. No matter what the final ranking actually may be we all know we can do better than we’re doing today. And, we’re talking about it so it achieved its original purpose.
But, that wasn’t the issue that caught my attention.
When explaining the decline in the country’s ranking in child mortality and life expectancy since 2000 the article stated, “But some researchers say that factors beyond the control of the health-care system are to blame, such as dietary habits.”
And, Alan Garber, an economist and professor of medicine at Stanford University closes the article by saying, “We might get more bang for the buck by setting aside some of our health-care money to support novel approaches to improve nutrition, education, exercise, or public safety.”
Until we all get on the same in our definitions the health care system will continue to struggle. In our view, nutrition, education, and exercise (and many others) are not “novel approaches”, but fundamental participants in the health care system that is evolving. And, dietary habits should be included in any research as they are critical in evaluating the whole-person and determining the approaches or strategies to improve the health of an individual.
We obviously define “health-care” different than others.
As long the majority continues to define health care as the “diagnosis-focused insurance financed” system we have today (as indicated in this article) instead of including health, wellness, and lifestyle as critical components; we might end up even lower than 37th- no matter what flaws may be in the data.
One of the primary objectives of the World Health Organization when they released the study was to “stimulate debate and focus on health systems” as opposed to just focus on individual components. The data and methodologies weren’t perfect, but it provided a benchmark. We all knew we could do better particularly when the cost is added to the formula. No matter what the final ranking actually may be we all know we can do better than we’re doing today. And, we’re talking about it so it achieved its original purpose.
But, that wasn’t the issue that caught my attention.
When explaining the decline in the country’s ranking in child mortality and life expectancy since 2000 the article stated, “But some researchers say that factors beyond the control of the health-care system are to blame, such as dietary habits.”
And, Alan Garber, an economist and professor of medicine at Stanford University closes the article by saying, “We might get more bang for the buck by setting aside some of our health-care money to support novel approaches to improve nutrition, education, exercise, or public safety.”
Until we all get on the same in our definitions the health care system will continue to struggle. In our view, nutrition, education, and exercise (and many others) are not “novel approaches”, but fundamental participants in the health care system that is evolving. And, dietary habits should be included in any research as they are critical in evaluating the whole-person and determining the approaches or strategies to improve the health of an individual.
We obviously define “health-care” different than others.
As long the majority continues to define health care as the “diagnosis-focused insurance financed” system we have today (as indicated in this article) instead of including health, wellness, and lifestyle as critical components; we might end up even lower than 37th- no matter what flaws may be in the data.
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