Healthcare in Italy vs USA

The World Health Organization (WHO) rates various health aspects of each country:

US                  Italy

• Expenditures (in $) per capita on healthcare        $8895              $3040
• Expenditures as a % of GDP                                          17.9%                9.2%
• Life expectancy at birth                                                 76/81                 80/85

Italy has a higher life expectancy than Americans and it costs them much less to provide it. Our healthcare is based on a symptom drug scenario. The American system is not interested in causes of health problems only the relieving of a symptom through a drug. It obviously isn’t working since chronic illness is on the rise. At some point we won’t be able to afford healthcare. Italy on the other hand uses a scenario of exercise and eating healthy to prevent chronic illnesses. It seems to be working for them and the cost is much less.

In Italy the idea of a walk with family, passagio, is not exercise but a social thing that everyone enjoys. Eating healthy is the only way Italians eat. Their food is pure, organic and always fresh. It is more about quality and taste than amount. Again they are not doing it to be healthy but because they have a very refined sense of taste. Eating is a social thing that all Italians enjoy and understand.

We need to take a hard look at how our friends across the pond are living a more healthy lifestyle.

George & Jo Anne