US Health 2006

On Sunday Yahoo news had an article on Life Expectancy in the US and how we have slipped from 11th to 42nd on the list over the last 20 years. While 77.9 years is a record I became curious as to what the other countries in the list were and I came across the CDC National Health Statistics for 2006 (can be accessed here). This is a data heavy report, while light on the analytical side, it has a number of interesting highlights. Below are some of those ones I found interesting.

1) Large disparities in infant mortality rates among racial and ethnic groups continue to exist. In 2003, infant mortality rates were highest for infants of non-Hispanic black mothers (13.6 deaths per 1,000 live births), American Indian mothers (8.7 per 1,000), and Puerto Rican mothers (8.2 per 1,000); and lowest for infants of Cuban mothers (4.6 per 1,000 live births) and Asian or Pacific Islander mothers (4.8 per 1,000) (Table 19).

(2) From 1950 to 2005, the total resident population of the United States increased from 151 million to 296 million, representing an average annual growth rate of 1.2% (Figure 1). During the same period, the population 65 years of age and over grew on average 2.0% per year, increasing from 12 to 37 million persons. The population 75 years of age and over grew the fastest (on average, 2.8% per year),increasing from 4 to 18 million persons.

Projections indicate that the rate of growth for the total population from now to 2050 will be slower, but older age groups will continue to grow more rapidly than the total population (1). By 2029, all of the baby boomers (those born in the post World War II period 1946–1964) will be age 65 years and over. As a result, the population age 65–74 years will increase from 6% to 10% of the total population between 2005 and 2030 (data table for Figure 1). As the baby boomers age, the population 75 years and over will also rise from 6% to 9% of the population by 2030 and continue to grow to 12% in 2050. By 2040 the population age 75 years and over will exceed the population 65–74 years of age.

(3) In 2004, the United States spent 16% (up from 14% in 2000) of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health care, a greater share than any other developed country for which data are collected by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (Figure 8 and Tables 119 and 120).

(4) In 2003, the age-adjusted death rate for heart disease, the leading cause of death, was 60% lower than the rate in 1950 (Table 36). The age-adjusted death rate for stroke, the third leading cause of death, declined 70% since 1950 (Table 37).Heart disease and stroke mortality are associated with risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and dietary factors. Other important factors include socioeconomic status, obesity, and physical inactivity. Factors contributing to the decline in heart disease and stroke mortality include better control of risk factors, improved access to early detection, and better treatment and care, including new drugs and expanded uses for existing drugs (1).

(5) In 2003, 96% of persons 65 years of age and over in the civilian noninstitutionalized population reported medical expenses that averaged about $8,210 per person with expense. Nineteen percent of expenses were paid out-of-pocket, 16% by private insurance, and 63% by public programs (primarily Medicare and Medicaid) (Tables 125 and 126).

Just a few facts to chew on.