I've worked with healthcare systems and professionals for 40 years, and the "why this?" and "why not?" questions keep coming back in my face: Follow the money. When it becomes in someone's economic interest to do so, they will address the problem or the issue.
Then, who is in charge of these decisions? Did any of them go to medical school or spend time treating patients? Are any of them scientists? Who is buying up hospitals and medical practices? Who creates insurance schemes and payment systems? Who is running the drug empire? Quick answer: business school graduates and technology company entrepreneurs. It's not about your health or wellness. It's about their personal wealth.
Why do we still not have national health care and wellness emphasis like other countries? Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Israel and 59 other countries all have better healthcare for their people than the United States. The U.S. is 69th.
It must be difficult to work with a positive attitude in such an unbalanced, unfair system. The Nordic countries have figured things out quite well. Citizens in those highly socialized countries are taken care of from birth to grave. The USA is against such policies, so it’s marginal citizens are left to flounder.
To address the chronic disease crisis in America, we need to shift from a reactive “sick care” model to a proactive, preventive approach. This involves embracing value-based care, which rewards healthcare providers for patient outcomes and quality of care rather than the volume of services rendered. By focusing on early intervention and holistic patient care, value-based models aim to improve health outcomes and reduce costs .  
Integrating lifestyle medicine into primary care is also crucial. This medical specialty utilizes therapeutic lifestyle interventions—such as a whole-food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections—to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity .  
Moreover, strengthening public health infrastructure is essential. Investments in public health systems enhance disease prevention programs, health education, and emergency preparedness efforts, laying the foundation for a healthier population .  
Great article.
thank you.
I've worked with healthcare systems and professionals for 40 years, and the "why this?" and "why not?" questions keep coming back in my face: Follow the money. When it becomes in someone's economic interest to do so, they will address the problem or the issue.
Then, who is in charge of these decisions? Did any of them go to medical school or spend time treating patients? Are any of them scientists? Who is buying up hospitals and medical practices? Who creates insurance schemes and payment systems? Who is running the drug empire? Quick answer: business school graduates and technology company entrepreneurs. It's not about your health or wellness. It's about their personal wealth.
Why do we still not have national health care and wellness emphasis like other countries? Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Israel and 59 other countries all have better healthcare for their people than the United States. The U.S. is 69th.
So discouraging...
It must be difficult to work with a positive attitude in such an unbalanced, unfair system. The Nordic countries have figured things out quite well. Citizens in those highly socialized countries are taken care of from birth to grave. The USA is against such policies, so it’s marginal citizens are left to flounder.
Sigh...many of us are doing what we can.
This is really incredible and so timely. You should send it to:
• Wall Street Journal Editorial Page
• Your U.S. Senators and Congressional Representatives
• Everyone on the applicable committees in the Senate and House, including their health teams and chiefs of staff
• Your State Senators and House Members
• In a normal world, RFK's team, but nothing is normal
:)
To address the chronic disease crisis in America, we need to shift from a reactive “sick care” model to a proactive, preventive approach. This involves embracing value-based care, which rewards healthcare providers for patient outcomes and quality of care rather than the volume of services rendered. By focusing on early intervention and holistic patient care, value-based models aim to improve health outcomes and reduce costs .  
Integrating lifestyle medicine into primary care is also crucial. This medical specialty utilizes therapeutic lifestyle interventions—such as a whole-food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections—to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity .  
Moreover, strengthening public health infrastructure is essential. Investments in public health systems enhance disease prevention programs, health education, and emergency preparedness efforts, laying the foundation for a healthier population .  
Yes! I am board certified in lifestyle medicine as well. These principles should be taught from day1
Wow this is exactly what I needed to read right now. while I'm not American it feels like this is a story that happens everywhere.
We are a mess here but we can work our way to better system, maybe not perfect but certainly better.