| Have you watched Sicko already? It is very worth | | | | Amazing words. |
| doing so. | | | | In the afternoon, after his speech, we spent some time |
| In order to help put the health problem we are living in | | | | talking with health providers and attending some panels, |
| better perspective, let me share now some of the | | | | such as the one put together by the Alzheimer's |
| insights and advice that Bill Clinton gave us in San | | | | Association on ways to prevent or delay Alzheimer's. |
| Francisco recently at the Healthetc event sponsored | | | | We were surprised at the amount of education still |
| by California Pacific Medical Center and KCBS. | | | | needed to make the medical and health community |
| Some of the speech highlights: | | | | incorporate science-based advice on lifelong learning |
| 1) Clinton's great overview of key comparative data: | | | | and mental stimulation on top of "traditional" advice |
| * 16 vs 10-11: % GDP spent on health care in the US vs. | | | | around nutrition and physical exercise. The Alzheimer's |
| other industrialized countries. This percentage | | | | Association is being one of the pioneers with their |
| difference equals around $800 billion annually! | | | | "Maintain Your Brain" campaign, suggesting a |
| * 84 vs 100: % population with some form of health | | | | comprehensive set of health and wellness guidelines |
| insurance in the US vs. other countries | | | | we should all follow: |
| * 34 and 37: ranking of the US system as measured | | | | 1) Stay mentally active: "Mentally stimulating activities |
| by health outcomes and life expectancy, respectively | | | | strengthen brain cells and the connections between |
| * 34 vs 19: % health care costs spent on administration | | | | them, and may even create new nerve cells." |
| in the US vs. other countries | | | | 2) Remain socially active: "Social activity not only |
| 2) President Clinton then outlined the 3 main problems | | | | makes physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it |
| with US Healthcare as follows, empathizing that any | | | | can reduce stress levels, which helps maintain healthy |
| serious, long-term solution needs to address these 3 | | | | connections among brain cells" |
| elements as a whole: | | | | 3) Stay physically active: "Physical exercise is essential |
| * immoral unequal coverage, where a large | | | | for maintaining good blood flow to the brain as well as |
| percentage of citizens lack access to quality care | | | | to encourage new brain cells. It also can significantly |
| * inefficient system: we pay more for less, as you | | | | reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes, |
| could see in Sicko | | | | and thereby protect against those risk factors for |
| * we still focus more on disease than on health. But he | | | | Alzheimer's and other dementias." |
| is hopeful about an increasing focus on wellness, | | | | 4) Adopt a brain-healthy diet: "Research suggests that |
| absolutely necessary to alleviate future cost pressures | | | | high cholesterol may contribute to stroke and brain cell |
| 3) Now, let's reflect on couple of (approximate) quotes | | | | damage. A low fat, low cholesterol diet is advisable. |
| with profound wisdom | | | | And there is growing evidence that a diet rich in dark |
| * "I am a testimonial for the best of American medicine. | | | | vegetables and fruits, which contain antioxidants, may |
| Given my heart problems, it is a miracle I am here with | | | | help protect brain cells." |
| you today. These days I cannot stay more than 5 | | | | No doubt, Bill Clinton would agree with the importance |
| minutes in a bad mood, because I remind myself how | | | | of these guidelines to ensure Baby Boomers can age |
| fortunate I am simply to be alive" | | | | in a healthy way and prevent the health care system |
| * (when people were clapping and cheering to easy | | | | from being overwhelmed with Alzheimer's related |
| "sound bites" while he was still trying to make a | | | | costs. |
| complex point) "Please stop. I don't want you to boo or | | | | Let's watch with attention what the presidential |
| cheer, simply to think on your own" | | | | candidates propose to deal with this situation. |