45,000 a year
A new study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that about 45,000 people die every year in this country because they don’t have insurance.
The whole study is at: http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/september/harvard_study_finds_.php
Previously, people quoted the Institute of Medicine study that said the total is about 18,000, but that study was less comprehensive than this one. It included only whites and African-Americans, whereas this new study is more broad-based.
And that 45,000 doesn’t include people who die because their insurance companies refuse to cover the necessary treatments.
Since one of every five insurance claims in this country is rejected, according to a study released last week, it’s hard to even imagine what the real numbers are.
This is the conclusion reached by the study’s authors:
“Lack of health insurance is associated with as many as 44,789 deaths per year in the United States, more than those caused by kidney disease (n=42,868).
”The increased risk of death attributable to uninsurance suggests that alternative measures of access to medical care for the uninsured, such as community health centers, do not provide the protection of private health insurance. Despite widespread acknowledgment that enacting universal coverage would be life saving, doing so remains politically thorny.
“Now that health reform is again on the political agenda, health professionals have the opportunity to advocate universal coverage.”
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
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