More than 47 million Americans are uninsured. 80 percent come from working families. 20 percent are children. The United States spends nearly $100 billion to provide uninsured patients with health services, often for preventable diseases or diseases more efficiently treated with early diagnoses. This burden is shouldered by everyone.
The AMA Proposal: To provide all Americans with the means to purchase health care coverage, to give individuals choices to select the appropriate coverage for them and their families, and to promote market reforms that enable this new approach.
Learn more about the AMA and their approach to helping the uninsured of America
Childhood Obesity
The increase in childhood obesity over the past several decades, together with the associated health problems and costs, is raising grave concern among health care professionals, policy experts, children's advocates, and parents. Patricia Anderson and Kristin Butcher document trends in children's obesity and examine the possible underlying causes of the obesity epidemic.
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Link provided by futureofchildren.org
Challenges of the uninsured
What is remarkable about those without access to a regular provider is that they could be anyone from a “soccer mom” to a grocery store worker. We refer to these individuals as the “medically unserved” because of a lack of available physicians in their communities, rendering them unable to get the care they need, when they need it, when it makes the most sense, when it can keep them healthy or treat a problem before it becomes serious and costly.
Link provided by nachc.org
Dental Health
Americans have very good oral health. Generations ago, most people lost their teeth by middle age. Today, thanks to the benefits of fluoride, healthier lifestyles and professional dental care, more people than ever before are keeping their natural teeth throughout their lifetime. Yet for people who live in areas where a dentist is not available or who cannot afford treatment, access to dental care can be difficult.
Link provided by ADA.org
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