Healthcare Cost Explosion Is Caused By Lifestyle Choices
Posted on Fri, Sep 25, 2009
In the previous blog post, we identified how insurance companies in providing medical insurance coverage to insured members use health insurance premiums. In this post we will identify the main drivers of medical costs in the U.S.
Prescription Drugs
- This year has seen a decline in the number of brand name drugs scheduled to move to generic or over the counter, this means higher prescription costs.
- It is expected this year to see a 21% rise in the cost of specialty drugs. For example cancer drugs or drugs for MS.
- Since 1997 the cost of prescription drugs have grown each year two and a half times faster than the rate of inflation.
The expanding use of technology
- Since 1997 the number of CT scans performed in the U.S has doubled and the number of MRI scans has tripled. This increase is largely due to defensive medicine.
Preventable care:
- Currently nearly 40% of the U.S population is officially obese.
- The obese population spends 77% more on prescription drugs than those of normal weight.
- The rise in obesity has caused the prevalence of diabetes to double in recent years.
America's Demographics
- The number of medical procedures, operations and tests performed each year will continue to rise as the baby boomer generation continues to push through middle age.
- State regulations and mandates imposed on insurance companies drives health insurance premiums up by 22% - 53%.
These causes are just a few of the many causes that are the driving forces behind the cost of healthcare in the U.S. and are at the root of our healthcare crisis. These problems can only be solved with more effective public health and education systems. Our education system must begin to teach the importance of a healthy diet and exercise and our public health system needs to encourage more natural remedies wherever possible. The point is we need to be moving the U.S in the direction of more natural and healthy lifestyles. For too long we have demanded instant gratification, a quick fix to every problem. We see that in fast food, weigh loss drugs, liposuction, drugs to improve sexual performance, drugs to correct high blood pressure which was caused in the first place by a bad diet and a lack of exercise, the list goes on and on and now we are having to deal with the consequences of our decisions.