Healthy Children: Earlier Rather than Later
by
Carole Simpson,
Commissioner
June 5, 2008
“Better earlier than later.” How often have we heard that expression? Whether the phrase is applied to the detection of disease, applying for jobs, or taking a flight at peak travel times, early action is key.
Child development experts in this country have been saying that with regards to children--aged birth to five--for the past 40 years.
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An Unprecedented Reversal
by
Alice M. Rivlin,
Co-Chair
May 22, 2008
A recent study documents an unprecedented reversal over the past few decades in Americans’ life expectancy. For the first time in nearly a century, rather than increasing, life expectancy for women declined in 180 of the nation’s 3,000-plus counties.
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Building a Healthier America Starts with Healthy Choices in our Neighborhoods
by
Angela Glover Blackwell,
Commissioner
May 21, 2008
Can Americans be truly healthy in communities overstuffed with fast-food and soda-and-chip corner stores? An important new study says, “Not likely.”
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Timely Moment to Seek Solutions
by
David R. Williams, Ph.D.,
Staff Director
April 21, 2008
Solutions to the complex problem of improving health and reducing health disparities will not be simple, but this is a uniquely opportune time to seek them. Widespread recognition – by business, government, and the general public – that medical care costs must be brought under control creates a sense of urgency. Pervasive concerns about global economic competitiveness add to pressures not only to reduce medical care costs but to have a healthier and thus more economically productive workforce.
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Enabling America to Reach its Full Health Potential
by
Mark McClellan,
Co-Chair
February 28, 2008
Improving health by improving education, housing, job opportunities, and neighborhoods sounds like an enormous undertaking. But I am engaged in this Commission because I am convinced, now more than ever, that there are promising solutions that exist out there.
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Improving America’s Health is not all about Health Care
by
Alice M. Rivlin,
Co-Chair
February 28, 2008
Clearly, health and the nation’s economy and overall well-being are intertwined. I have to tell you that I am frustrated by the fact that we spend so much on health care, yet so many Americans’ health falls short of what it could and should be. America is not achieving its full health potential. We can do better.
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