Is The U.S Really A Great Place To Live: A Population Health Survey

Explanation
Despite the billions of dollars that go into our health care system, the United States still ranks as number 34. With countries like Japan who rank as number 1 and have twice as many male smokers as the U.S, what could be the factors contributing to this paradox?

Explanation
The lesser obvious answers, income inequality & zip code, are both examples of social determinants of health. Studies show that a correlation exists between the decrease of income inequality and increase of life expectancy. In areas (zip codes) where this relationship is strongest, the health of its constituents is highest.

Explanation
Even though on average Hispanics have lower income and education, in some cases Latinos have lower mortality rates than what their Socio-economic status would predict and comparable rates to their white middle-upper class counterparts. This phenomenon is referred to as the "Hispanic Paradox".

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Regarding policies that determine the length of maternal leave the U.S offers very little compared to countries like Sweden who provide 420 days of paid leave. By investing resources into early life development, factors such as pregnancy stress and frequency of communication with your baby will assure proper social/emotional and cognitive development later in life. This could be the key to avoiding diseases 20-30 years down the road.

Explanation
All of the following are examples of what can be classified as "Medical harm". Medical harm can take place within a hospital or clinical setting. Although data on the prevalence of medical harm in the U.S fluctuate from state to state, it is conclusive that where ever you go poor people have poorer outcomes with medical care.

Explanation
Among 10-24 year olds, homicide is the leading cause of death for African-Americans and the second leading cause of death for hispanics. In comparison to other countries, the U.S is near the forefront with countries like Japan and France averaging less than 1 homicide per 100,000 population within the same age group.

Explanation
Fortunately for technological innovations within the last 50 years, preventative medicine and techniques have decreased cancer/illness mortality. On the other hand, these health improvements have not been shared equally among the poor and rich. As mentioned before, poorer people have poorer health, which most certainly applies to treatment received.

Explanation
Ironic that the Declaration of Independence mentions "pursuit of happiness" as one of the unalienable rights. The rate of antidepressant usage in the U.S has increased nearly %400 percent within the last two decades; with women 2 and half times more likely to take antidepressant medication than males. Could this dramatic increase be the result of greater social pressures and chronic stress?

Explanation
Research has proven that one's SES is a strong indicator of their range of health and outcomes for illness. Both social and environmental conditions provide the stressors that contribute towards deteriorating health and increased levels of stress hormones. Is it fair that the people who are at highest risk for diseases are the same ones who have very little access to necessary medical care?

Explanation
Thank you for your participation. I hope you have learned at least one thing you are excited to share with others (fun facts at the dinner table). If you are interest in the societal determinants that influence health at the population level, "HSERV 482" lectured by Stephen Bezruchka at the UW is an engaging course that challenges the traditional thinking of what influences health from the individual to the global scale.