American Healthcare Reform

The Effects of Eczema, Acne, and other skin disorders on Americans Self Esteem

For most people, having the fairest and most perfect skin is one of their biggest assets. This is because flawless skin automatically evokes the idea that a person is well-off and is able to either care for the skin through the use of natural products. Thus, having perfect skin is like an indication of class.

However, not everyone is gifted with the most flawless skin. In fact, others just spend all of their money and savings on various beauty products to help achieve the perfect skin type. Worst, some people even suffer from certain skin conditions like eczema, acne as well as other types of skin disorders. So just imagine how these things take a toll on their self-esteem and life in general.

The Effects of Skin Disorders on Self-Esteem

Generally speaking, people suffering from all sorts of skin disorders find it very difficult and sometimes even impossible to feel confident about themselves.

Sometimes too, they are made fun of by other people and are teased because of their skin’s appearance so it is more likely that their self-esteem gets lower and lower by the minute. As a result, these people no longer want to have direct interactions with classmates and colleagues for fear that their teasing just won’t end.

More adverse effects of eczema, acne and other types of skin disorders happen when people who are suffering from it simply decide to put an end to their lives. They normally think such because they believe that there is no solution to their problem or if there are, it’s too expensive they wouldn’t be able to afford.

Worst even, some people even go through serious depression because they are not confident about themselves and they end up losing a sight on their future.

As a result, a lot of people no longer want to apply for jobs because they know for a fact that they will not be hired. They usually think “how will I get hired if my face looks like this or if my skin looks all red and blotchy?” And of course, they are not one to be blamed. A lot of companies and universities out there still base their decisions to hire employees based on their appearance.

Domino Effect

If you come to think of it, the effects of skin disorders on the self-esteem take on the domino effect which means that one effect is closely linked to the other.

This was a guest post provided by http://eczematreatmentadvice.com/. Their site focuses on how to find the most effective eczema treatment for you.

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The State of Dental Care in America Compared to Europe

The recession in the US and Europe has resulted in governments slashing public service funding, but when it comes to providing access to oral health, the US is the runt of the litter.

Many states in the US have recently pinpointed limiting access to dental services as a way to shave tax dollars earmarked for medical insurance. The cuts do not affect American children, but oral health Medicaid benefits to adults are now limited to emergency dental care.

This means that lower income Americans will have to pay for routine preventive and maintenance dental care, considered “optional” services, which they can seldom afford. These include teeth cleaning, restorative procedures, root canals and tooth extractions. Many experts feel that this decision to sideline oral health expenditures will only result in higher costs down the line when emergency dental care becomes more common. Preventive measures are typically less expensive than treating complications.

This is the prevailing attitude among European nations. Despite the fact that oral health in Europe is still relatively worse than in the US, policy change with regard to public access to preventative oral care is gaining ground. The examples posed by Sweden and Denmark which provides extensive dental care coverage to its citizens and have consequently significantly reduced the incidence of oral disease have led to more of their European neighbors to extend their coverage as well.

But the US and European countries have a common problem: providing adequate dental care access to lower income and vulnerable populations. In the US, the problem lies in lack of education and limitations in dental care funding. In Europe, the problem is in getting people to regularly avail of dental services that are provided. Many will only go to a dentist when in pain or in need of emergency attention. Many European countries seek to counteract this by providing community- and school-based public oral programs. Many EU countries also support sugar-free products and limit the promotion of food products that may compromise oral health. On the other hand, the US has no such measures.

Another initiative in EU countries that is lacking in the US is the use of dental therapists to provide cheaper and more accessible basic dental services in areas where dentists are scarce or too expensive. According to a recent study, dental therapists can help fill the gaps in dental care because they are trained to provide basic dental services, leaving more complex procedures to dentists.

Dental therapy has gained worldwide acceptance since it was first introduced in New Zealand in 1920 because they receive adequate training and supervision for safe and cost-effective dental care. Yet the US is lagging behind in this acceptance despite the growing need for affordable dental care. Except in a few states, dental therapists are prohibited from practicing even under the general supervision of a dentist. Even in states where dental therapists are deployed, their requisite training and state supervision are much more than the international standard. This makes it less effective as a means to provide more dental services at low rates.

This lack of flexibility on the part of the US may well lead to increasing problems with the overall health of Americans due to inadequate dental care. EU countries, on the other hand, are well on their way to significantly reducing their dental health problems.

This was a guest post that was written by Ron of Hawkesbury Dentist. He is an expert on the dentist field and he provides practical information on the best ways to choose a dentist.

APHA’s Strategies in Dealing with Obesity Problems

Obesity is one of the most critical health problems of Americans these days and according to statistics, the problem is getting worse. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) said that 1 out of 5 youths in the U.S. is overweight, and in the past few decades, the number of overweight youths has doubled and has exposed this demographic to the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other more serious health problems.

The prevention of obesity in our youths is one of the most crucial public health issues in the nation today. In order to deal with this worsening problem, we need innovative solutions and approaches. The APHA might have the answer to that.

As the primary voice for advocacies in public health, the American Public Health Association (APHA) aims to protect every American against any health risks and dangers. In fact, they carry out several community-based activities and health services as a way of promoting disease prevention. The association also deals with public health and emergency preparedness, hunger, food safety, climate change, and nutrition.

Aside from that, they are also tackling other issues regarding environmental health such as disease control, international health, tobacco control, and public health infrastructure. Hence, what could be their strategy in giving solution to the obesity problems of some Americans of today?

Here is an overview of APHA’s strategies in calling for the immediate attention of public, governmental, and private organizations to give solution to obesity:

Identification of the Department of Health and Human Services of the U.S. as the lead agency to set up a high-level task force in order to ensure programs and policy requirements and coordinated budgets. Aside from that, they will establish collaboration between Transportation, Department of Agriculture, and Education. Also, they will call for the establishment of task forces with state government members as well as to work with business sectors and non-profit organizations to lead a directed effort in dealing with obesity in the U.S.
Provide sufficient funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to support state plans for nutrition, leadership infrastructure, and physical activities all throughout the states, territories, and tribes to provide physical activity programs
Policies at the state, federal, and local levels that modify food, agriculture, community development, land use, and recreational practices.
Mass Communications campaigns that promote physical activity, healthy eating, and awareness, while exposing environmental conditions, and challenging unhealthy norms.
Policies and ordinances at the federal, enforcement of laws, local and state levels that support physical activity and healthy eating.
Evaluation, applied research, and surveillance that provide timely and responsive information in supporting the plan.
A coordinated research plan among the U.S Department of Agriculture, National Institutes Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support local and state interventions and deal with discrepancies in the obesity prevalence.
Sufficient funding for wide-ranging obesity-related interventions.
Helps provide information on health weight loss methods as well as information on side effects of common weight loss herbs such as garcinia cambogia

Thus, APHA is calling for the direct mobilization of public, private agencies, and governmental agencies to coordinate actions in order to reverse the epidemic of obesity. Apart from that, APHA has also set a dietary guideline for Americans in 2005 in order to help them solve their obesity problem.

Issues with American Dental Health Care Providers

Just like with any industry, there are issues arising with the American dental health care providers. There is now a struggle to meet these issues and resolve them as fast as possible. There are many underlying issues that American dental health care providers need to deal with like cost of dental healthcare and its continuously escalating prices.

The Issues

Increased Cost of Treatment – cost will always be an issue when it comes to just about anything. When it comes to healthcare, may it be dental or medical, and healthcare benefits; there is indeed a great concern for many. The great concern is the costs and fees that are being charged to patients. Even with insurance covering most of the expenses incurred during dental or medical procedures, still there are some treatments that are too expensive and costing patients more than what they are able to shell out.

Prices of Medicine – Another great concern is the cost of medicine, since in all reality, Pharmaceutical companies are really raking in a great deal of money from patients. The cost of medicine is really hitting the medical and dental industry in a big way, which in turn is causing uproar from many people. Many individuals and organizations are voicing out their concern about these issues since it is really affecting more and more families with the never ending escalation of prices for medicine and also for health care.

Services – for some dental and medical facilities and health care providers, they tend to take advantage of the insurance coverage of patients, often utilizing services that are not really needed. These services or procedure are termed as options, thus are made as requirements, which in turn is costing the patients further expense, which is more than what they are able to shoulder.

Much Needed Concern

For many families, especially those of the middle class, going into debt is becoming a reality for them because of the dental and medical expenses. The health providers are really putting more pressure in their efforts to survive. Many individuals, politicians and organizations are raising the much needed awareness to handle the issues that are arising the American dental health care providers.

Options

For many individuals, they are opting out to more attainable means in getting the dental health care for themselves. They are choosing the dental tourism and the benefits that it offers versus getting services in the country. In a way, with this kind of trend, it will slowly kill the dental healthcare industry and with this slow death, will in turn affect the providers and suppliers of the American dental industry.

If the problems and issues that the American Dental Health Care Providers are facing now are not met and resolved as soon as possible, the decline for the need of the services from the dental industry will be felt more sooner than anybody could expect. These concerns and issues should be handled as soon as possible to avoid the continuous tumultuous relationship between the providers and the patients. Orange County dental lab has the best options and can deal with any issues that arise.

Hemorrhoids in Relation to American Healthcare

Over 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids. The causes can include being overweight, being pregnant, and having constipation or diarrhea. While hemorrhoids can’t kill you, they can make your life very uncomfortable.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

There are veins and arteries located just on the inside and outside of your rectum. They are like cushions. They help you pass stool. When these veins or arteries swell, they are called hemorrhoids. Swelling can be caused by excess strain or pressure on these vessels.

There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids occur with the vessels on the inside of your anus. External hemorrhoids occur on the outside of your anus.

Hemorrhoid

What Are the Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

Internal hemorrhoids are accompanied by blood in your stool. They are painless. External hemorrhoids are painful. Bleeding occurs, but it is very dark. It also comes out in your stool.

Who is At Risk for Hemorrhoids?

It is estimated that about half of people aged 50 and older have hemorrhoids. There are around 40 million people over 50 living in America.

Pregnant women often get hemorrhoids in their third trimester. It is very common for pregnant women to have this condition. It is estimated that about 4% of females are pregnant in the United States at any given time. Half the population of the United States is female.

Overweight people are also at risk for hemorrhoids. More than one-third of the United States population is overweight.

Aside from that, people who live certain lifestyles and eat certain types of food are also at risk. If you lift heavy weights, consume a lot of caffeine or alcohol, or have a low-fiber diet, you are at risk.

A Breakdown of the Statistics for People with Hemorrhoids in the United States

Simple math equations can help break down the statistics that help us come to the conclusion of how many people have hemorrhoids in the United States.

About 20 million people aged 50 and over suffer from hemorrhoids.
There are roughly 6 million pregnant women in the United States at any given time (311 million divided by the number of females in the country, which is about 50%, comes to 155,500,000. 4% of that is 6,220,000.)
About 104 million people in the United States are considered overweight (Not obese. Just overweight.) About one-fourth of these suffer from hemorrhoids.

Now consider that there are some people that may fit into both or all of these categories. Also consider the fact that there are some people who don’t report medical conditions to their doctor. There are also some people have just developed hemorrhoids, and some people who don’t know that they have it. That is where the estimated total of 10 million comes from.

There are new procedures for treating and even eliminating hemorrhoids. These procedures may or may not be covered by healthcare insurance companies. The best way to find out is to call your insurance company. Prescriptions and over-the-counter treatments are also available.

This was a guest post written by Sam of http://hemorrhoidssuccess.com who specializes in providing a highly effective External Hemorrhoid Treatment.

Examining Skype Healthcare Services in the UK & Europe

The UK is leading Europe in providing Skype consultations to improve healthcare services. A recent trial by the NHS revealed an 11 per cent decrease in missed appointments and an increase in patient satisfaction. The trial was introduced as part of Britain’s ‘digital first’ campaign for healthcare commissioned by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. In 2012 one in every in ten recorded appointments were missed within the NHS, Skype is being used as a solution to increase patient appointments and is likely to be rolled out to further medical practises as it can reduce operating costs and assist internal communications.

One of the largest questions surrounding the feasibility of the Skype consultation is whether patients have the ability to access the medium. Europe currently boasts 40 million registered Skype users which accounts for half of users worldwide and significant investment across the continent is improving 4G services. The UK alone raised £2.3 billion following the sale of its broadband spectrum in March. High speed internet is critical for maintaining quality video connections and governments are looking to invest in broadband services as it provides cost reductions in the longer term.

The corporate dispute which threatens to unsettle video healthcare can be attributed to the battle between Skype and Cisco. Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011 is currently being appealed by Cisco to the European commission as it argues Microsoft would be locking in the technology to its own systems and preventing an ‘open source’ model which would allow Cisco to use the same video calling systems. However as Skype currently remains a free video platform it is unlikely to impact on the user but perhaps delay larger projects in government.

If the UK’s NHS moves ahead with its Skype role out to all practises, patients will be able to reap the benefits which include a decrease in waiting times, the ability to hold a consultation from the comfort of their own home and faster more efficient service delivered through a virtual clinic environment. Patients must always have a choice to opt for virtual services as some prefer the intimacy of the consultation procedure. In far more serious cases doctors will want to examine patients first hand and use unspoken communications like body language to help with the diagnosis.

Healthcare providers are also excited about the use of telepresence solutions in healthcare, specifically how technology can address a host of educational managerial and patient’s challenges – simultaneously reducing waste and maximising the quality of care. The University of Chicago’s hospital recently upgraded its communications to include video systems throughout the whole of the practise, connecting different areas of the hospital and allowing doctors to communicate with specialists across the world. This type of treatment centre provides a world class facility which arguably prevents medical negligence and allows doctors to do the following. NHS

Improve knowledge transfer initiatives - As physicians dispersed across the globe, expertise can be shared quickly over a Skype call improving the quality of care available.

Provide 24/7 access to specialists – Patients are able to receive access to remote specialists which may be critical for recovery. For example a rare disease may have a specialists treatment centre available in another country and doctors can quickly communicate with the centre there.

Provide a reduction in patient retention – Patients which do not need to be transferred to specialist clinics save providers money, enabling savings to be re-invested into the quality of care.

Increase training operations – A training programme can reach a larger number of staff whether held internally or broadcast across the globe.

Improve scheduling– Residents will be able to treat more patients as videoconference can provide a bedside exam for patients which are not always available at the location of the patient. Stroke patients are an example of one group which require treatment from brain imaging specialists that are often in short supply.

Skype’s potential to revolutionise the way healthcare is delivered is exciting for both patients and doctors; however it is arguably the tip of the iceberg for the services digital technology can provide. More efficient healthcare can be provided by using services which enable you do pre-book appointments and receive reminders and test results. The NHS believes £3 billion could be saved by 2020 using ‘digital first’ policies which could transform the health service for the better.

Sources-

NHS revealed an 11 per cent decrease in missed appointments

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-hospitals-using-innovative-solutions-to-prevent-missed-appointments

The UK alone raised £2.3 billion following the sale of its broadband spectrum in March

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/02/20/ofcom-announces-winners-of-the-4g-mobile-auction/

NHS believes £3 billion could be saved by 2020 using ‘digital first’ policies

http://digital.innovation.nhs.uk/dl/cv_content/32200

Current American Health Policy On Smoking

Since the 1960’s, the American government has progressively implemented and waged a war against cigarette smoking, resulting in rates of cigarette smoking declining in the United States from roughly 40% to 20% over from them until the 2000’s.

The United States was the first of many countries to require a health warning on cigarette packages, beginning in 1966 but escalating in 1985. Since then, a variety of Surgeon General’s Warnings have informed smokers about the dangers of smoking including lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, the damage smoking wreaks on unborn foetuses and cigarettes contain carbon monoxide.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 required that colour graphics with text showcasing the negative effects of smoking must cover half the area of the back and front of each and every cigarette pack, which has attracted considerable controversy and lobbying from the cigarette companies.

As a result of taxes, American cigarettes are amongst the most expensive in the world, with a typical pack of 20 costing $12.50 in the State of New York, compared to $4 in Poland. These taxes discourage people from consuming cigarettes while raising government revenue to be invested in other healthcare initiatives.

On top of these government initiatives, most states have legislation banning smoking in many public places, particularly in bars, restaurants and workplaces which have further encouraged people to quit. As part of this combination of campaigns over a series of decades, virtually the entire public of the United States knows that cigarettes do damage to human health.

A variety of government bodies including the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has championed programs and products designed to help smokers quit, the most notable of which has been nicotine patches, which are designed to address smokers cravings without resulting in them actually smoking a harmful cigarette. While this type of treatment is popular, many people relapse after giving into their cravings to receive their nicotine from a real cigarette and not a patch.

A new product quickly gaining ground in the United States is electronic or “E” Cigarettes, which help smokers, quit cigarettes by removing many of the harmful side effects of smoking. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that are made to resemble real cigarettes.

They are smoked or “vaped” by activating a battery inside the electronic cigarette, which vaporizes a liquid solution into a mist, recreating the smoke release of a real cigarette. Electronic cigarettes have a similar amount of the addictive substance nicotine to regular cigarettes, but come without many of the nasty side effects such as increasing your chances of lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and so forth.

The fact that electronic cigarettes may resemble real tobacco cigarettes has been a driving force behind the growing interest in their use. They essentially offer the same smoking experience, but they do not produce the same toxic smoke that can cause lung disease and cancer when inhaled over time, making it the perfect aid for smokers to kick their nasty habit, and one which the U.S government and the Food and Drug Administration should heavily endorse in the future.

Do High Medical Salaries Effect the Cost of Healthcare in America?

The ever-rising healthcare costs in America isn’t something we can continue to overlooked. When compared to other rich nations, the United States has above average healthcare costs and the wages for physicians and specialists are over the top. Congress addresses many aspects around cutting healthcare costs in America, but no one has yet to speak about cutting the wages of medical practitioners.

In 2008, America spent around $7,000 per capita for healthcare, while countries like Japan and the U.K. spend only half of that and still has good medical outcomes (when it comes to life expectancy at birth). Then the amount of money spent on physicians per capita each year is five times more than other rich nations, at $1,600 compared to only $310. This translates to a $1,290 difference per capita or $390 billion.

The biggest gap in healthcare costs in America comes from the money spent on specialists, which is noted as being three to six times more than other rich nations. This comes from the fact that procedures performed in the U.S. costs more; these are paid by public and private payers. The wages for primary care doctors compared to other rich nations are higher, which also contributes to the high healthcare costs in this country. The use of primary care doctors are low in the U.S., which keeps the spending on this sector low. However, this doesn’t benefit the overall healthcare costs in any way.

So how much do physicians and specialists earn? In the U.S. (after practicing for six years), family medicine doctors earn $200k, urologists earn $400k, spinal surgeons make $600k and general surgeons make $350k. These are all a part of the top 1% of earners.

It’s easy to say that no other country pays their doctors as much as the U.S. does. In fact, they earn double than the median salaries of physicians in 21 other rich nations. The earnings U.S. doctors receive are reflected by the cost per service provided. In the U.S., a routine visit to the doctor is $89 (as of last year), $64 in Switzerland, $23 in France and $40 in Germany. For delivering babies, U.S. doctors receive on average $3,390 and in France, doctors receive $449. The cost for a hip replacement in the U.S. is on average $2,966 and $1,123 in Spain.

The reason for U.S. doctors being paid so much can be for a variety of things. Some will say that they have higher debt after graduating from medical school and others will say that their operation costs are high (technologies, malpractice insurance, paying staff, food, supplies, etc.). The high costs we pay in America doesn’t exactly lead to better results compared to peer countries.

In order to bring down the healthcare costs in America, every aspect has to be looked at including the medical salaries of doctors. Simply cutting Medicare and Medicaid costs will not be sufficient because Americans will still be left paying the high wages of the physicians and specialists that they visit.

This was a guest post written by John of Explore Medical Careers. Click here for their site.

Asian American Health Risks

Asian Americans are amongst the most successful subsets of the American population, yet paradoxically are more likely to suffer from certain health ailments than the general population. This also varies by ethnic group. For example, almost half of all Filipino Americans are obese or overweight, yet 10% of Vietnamese and Japanese Americans are underweight. Asian Americans are more likely than other races in America to smoke, get screened for cancer, seek treatment for mental health and have poor knowledge or health issues and treatment services. Asian Americans are also a high risk group for type 2 diabetes, which occurs at a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to other American racial groups. Diabetes was the seventh most common cause of death in the United States for the overall population in 2006, but it was the fifth most common cause of death amongst Asian Americans.

This is alarming because Asian Americans suffer from an elevated risk of having Hepatitis B, which is one of the most significant health disparities affecting the Asian population, as only 0.1% of Non-Hispanic White Americas suffer from chronic hepatitis B, compared to 10% of Asian Americans. Tuberculosis is another disease that Asian Americans are at risk for, despite the fact that it is no longer considered a threat to public health in much of the world, it still often strikes in Asia. Asian Americans are 24 times more likely to have tuberculosis than whites.

Asian Americans also suffer from some cancers at a higher rate than other Americans. Lung cancer rates for South East Asian Americans are 18% higher than among White Americans. Meanwhile, Chinese Americans have the highest mortality rates for lung cancer out of any Asian American groups. This may very well be a reflection of the elevated rates of air pollution in many Asian countries, the health effects of which may have been imported to America by Asian immigrants.

Furthermore, one in five Asian women over 50 suffer from osteoporosis, and more than half of those are at risk, which is much higher than it is for White women of the same age group. Asian American women over the age of 65 have a suicide rate more than double that of White women in the same age group, standing at 11.6 suicides out of every 100,000 people.

On a lighter note however, it is worth noting that many Asian Americans suffer from a flushing, or reddening of the face when they drink alcohol. This is a source of embarrassment and sadly, sometimes ridicule for many Asian Americans. Asian flush is a result of the build up of acetaldehyde in the human body, which is a by-product of the body’s breakdown of alcohol. Asian flush is genetic, and there are few natural remedies for it. AF Formula (Anti Flush Formula) is a proven remedy for Asian Flush syndrome. AF Formula offers a 90 day money back guarantee, making it the best possible remedy for a condition that affects between a third and half of all Asian Americans.

American Local Health Services Compared to Australian Health Services

Australia and the United States are both First World developed countries, with an English speaking population and a history of mutually friendship. On a superficial level one would think we are quite similar. One key difference between Australia and America however is there health system. To be the blunt, the United State’s system is perhaps not as straightforward nor as comprehensive as that of Australia. In the United States facilities for health care come under the jurisdiction of many separate legal entities. There are several government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, designed to extend health benefits to seniors and the general population but these programs are far from universal.

Meanwhile the Australian Medicare system covers a far larger portion of the population as everyone who lives in Australia is eligible to join the program, and it entitles members to be treated at public hospitals at no charge. Meanwhile in the United States most health care facilities are privately owned are charge considerable sums for their services. In the U.S. absolutely everyone – including those illegally in the country – are entitled to basic hospital emergency room care. This is regardless of an ability to pay. But this is where the public system stops and becomes a little convoluted. There is no further public coverage. In fact, it has been reported that the U.S. is the only ‘wealthy, industrialised nation that does not ensure that all citizens have (health care) coverage’.

An often cited statistic within recent healthcare debates is the estimation in 2009 that some 50.7 million U.S. residents were without health insurance, with almost 5,000 Americans dying directly because of a lack of health insurance each year. Health care costs in the United States continue to grow more quickly than the overall inflation rate, and medical debt contributes to almost half of all personal bankruptcies.

This is because in the United States private health insurance is available, but is much more expensive than in Australia.

It is common for Americans to receive private healthcare coverage through their employer. Typically, the company contributes a significant portion of the total cost of coverage – usually covering the employee for 85% of the premium cost and the employee’s dependents for 75% of the premium costs. However, this results in the employee having little to no choice as to the health care provider and coverage levels. Since health care is linked to unemployment, those who most badly need health care coverage, the poor, are the least likely to be covered and there is very little portability between providers.

This is no doubt why when President Barack Obama entered the White House he made domestic healthcare reform his number 1 priority, aiming to see 97% of the American population equipped with health insurance by 2015. As such, it is painfully obvious that local health services in the United States lag behind that of Australia in both coverage levels and affordability, which are the most important metrics of success for healthcare systems in developed economies.