Our Failing Health
In 2007:
- $2.2 trillion was spent on health care
- That amount represents an average of $7,421 per person, representing 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Over 50% of health care costs come from lifestyle choices
- Health care costs are growing three times the rate of inflation (average yearly rate of nearly 8%)
Health care costs are the leading cause of personal and corporate bankruptcies:
- More than 45 million Americans are not insured - more than 15% of this nation's population
- Starbucks spends more on health care than on coffee
- General Motors spends more on health care than on advertising or steel
American's are losing the battle for their lives:
- More than 60% of Americans are overweight or obese and have 36% higher health care costs
- From 1978 to 2000, the number of obese Americans has doubled, accounting for 62% of the rise in health care spending
- 22% of Americans smoke adding $157 billion in health care spending