Can$$$$ buy you good Health?

A study conducted by a group of British and US researchers concluded that the typical white American is not as healthy as the white British in any of the seven areas investigated.

The study was done on a group of 55-64 years old and in order to isolate the race factor only whites were used. The Americans were almost twice as likely to have diabetes or cancer as their British counterparts and 50% more likely to develop a stroke or heart disease. Hypertension, heart attacks and lung disease were 25-30% more likely to occur in Americans rather than the British. What is astonishing is the fact that the Americans did not beat the British in any category despite the fact that the US outspends the UK on health care. What was even more astounding was the revelation that in most categories the British poor were healthier than the US rich; the poor Brits had fewer incidences of cancer, diabetes and hypertension than the wealthy Americans.

The explanation for the above unexpected results will require more detailed studies. The leading hypothesis by the researchers, however, centers on a lifestyle phenomenon called social isolation.

“We have many people working an enormous number of hours," says Lisa Berkman, a social epidemiologist with Harvard University. "But they also have no time to take care of themselves or their families, as well as maintain a certain kind of community or neighborhood or set of ties." If we would only remember the admonition that we do not live by bread alone!!!!!