In my lifetime smoking has gone from something widely accepted and even cool to a lower status habit. According to the CDC, recognizing smoking as a health hazard and getting Americans to quit or cut back is one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th Century. A recent survey found smoking is something that only about 9% of Americans enjoy. That is the lowest on record.
Author: Devon Herrick
Americans Need Better, More Affordable Health Coverage Options
If you step back and really think about it logically, health insurance is a colossal waste of money for most people. I’ve seen figures that claim that nearly 90% of Obamacare enrollees never reach their annual deductible in any given year. You spend about $7,000 per year, on average, to mitigate a risk that is statistically unlikely. Granted, insurance is supposed to be for things that are catastrophic but unlikely.
Marriage Has Health Benefits (depending on who you are, how you met)
Research has shown that marriage is associated with better health and longevity, primarily in men, but some health benefits accrue to women also. Married men tend to live 2.5 years longer than single men, while married women gain 1.8 years of life. Marriage is correlated with better physical, mental, and emotional health. Of course, the results will vary by relationship quality and as mentioned above, gender.
Mandated Autism Therapy Has Led to High Costs, Waste and Abuse
The prevalence of autism diagnoses has increased in recent years as autism awareness has risen. Developmental and behavior deficits are often attributed to autism. Autism is a spectrum. Symptoms vary from slight to severe. States and the federal Medicaid program began to require coverage for autism therapy. Private equity has taken notice and began to invest. As a result, autism clinics – much of the therapy paid by Medicaid – have sprung up all over the country.