Preface

Acknowledgements

Indicators of the Nation's Health Standards

A primary indicator of the well-being of a nation is the health of its people and the availability of health care. Many factors can affect a person's health: heredity, race/ethnicity, gender, income, education, geography, violent crime, environmental agents, exposure to infectious diseases, and access to health care. This chapter provides an overview of vital health statistics and the health status of Americans

The Increasing Cost of Health Care

Americans are spending an increasing amount of money on health care, with the money coming from both private and public funds. This chapter explores the types of services that Americans pay for; the reasons for cost increases; and what can be done about controlling skyrocketing costs. Programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term health care are also discussed

International Comparisons of Health Care

This chapter begins with a comparison of monetary issues concerning health care. It concludes with comparisons of the health care systems in the United States, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Japan

Insurance---Those With and Those Without

Many factors affect the availability of health insurance, including employment, income, and age. Sources of health insurance-for those who can afford it or are eligible to receive it-are private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Although many Americans, including millions of children, are uninsured, government programs and legislation have been designed to reverse this strain on American society

Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, and Other Health Care Professionals

Modern health care treatment requires that its practitioners have a great deal of training and skill. This chapter examines the training, working conditions, earnings, and related issues pertaining to health care professionals. Alternative forms of health care, such as acupuncture and herbalism, are also discussed

Health Care Institutions

There are many different types of health care institutions in the United States, including hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, home health care, and mental health facilities, and each is profiled here. Among the issues discussed are the plight of public hospitals and the rapid rise of home health care agencies

Chronic Diseases: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Chronic diseases are prolonged illnesses that do not resolve spontaneously and are rarely cured completely. This chapter examines the causes, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, and diabetes

Degenerative Diseases

Degenerative diseases are noninfectious disorders where the victim becomes progressively disabled. This chapter looks at the prevalence, causes, and treatment of arthritis, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease

Genetic Diseases

Genetic diseases are conditions caused by changes or mutations to the victim's genes, which are then passed from one generation to the next. This chapter examines the prevalence, causes, and treatment of muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell disease, and Tay-Sachs disease

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are those caused by viruses or bacteria transmitted from one person to another through casual contact or through bodily fluids. The most frequently reported diseases are discussed. This chapter also contains more in-depth examinations of the prevalence, causes, and treatment of influenza, tuberculosis, AIDS, and Lyme disease

Mental Health

Millions of Americans suffer from mental illness. This chapter presents the findings of two studies on the nation's mental health. Schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and suicide are also defined and discussed

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

This chapter contains a number of surveys concerning personal nutrition and health care. Attitudes presented on self-care; diet and exercise; smoking, tobacco use, and alcohol; and immunizations indicate that many Americans are trying to remain healthy through lifestyle changes

Public Opinion About Health Care

Using results from various polls, this chapter analyzes Americans' feelings on a variety of health care-related issues, including costs, the health care system, the future of health care, managed care, Medicare, and the most urgent health problems facing Americans

Important Names and Addresses

Resources

Index