al roles of nutrition, environment, and personal behavior.
Chapter 2: The multibillion dollar health care industry in the United States represents a patchwork of successes and failures in improving the health status of the population. Given its enormous expenditures on health care, it would be reasonable to conclude that America ranks number one in terms of low mortality and morbidity rates compared with other countries. Surprising, this is not the case. Major improvements are needed in the health status of the nation.
The major failures of the American health care system are evident in five different areas. These areas include high blood pressure control, pregnancy and infant health, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, income plays a significant role in the maintenance of health.
America has also experienced distinct successes in its health care system. These successes include: expansion of hospital facilities, increased number of physicians, expansion of health care coverage, and growth in technology. Unfortunately, these successes have led to spiraling health care costs.
A criticism of the American health care system is that it is market-oriented. This market orientation has exhibited minimal regard for costs: "Evidence of inefficiency, duplication, and excessive overhead is everywhere apparent." The establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, through federal government intervention, has contributed to cost excesses.
Some experts contend that academic medicine is a major force in the direction of the nation's health care system. The current and former faculty of academia are active in all areas of the medical field. Therefore, it is the responsibility of academic medicine to shift its focus from research and targeted diseases to health status and the provision of health services.
Chapter 3: Federal health care policy in the United States can best be describ...