Beyond Repair with Dr. Davina: The Unsustainability of Our Healthcare

Our healthcare system is at a critical juncture, and the prognosis is not optimistic. The current model, once hailed for its advancements and accessibility, now reveals deep-seated issues that threaten its sustainability. In this blog, I dissect the ailments plaguing our healthcare system, explore the root causes, and advocate for a paradigm shift to ensure a healthier future.

Beyond Repair with Dr. Davina: The Unsustainability of Our Healthcare

Rising Costs: A Financial Fever

One of the most glaring symptoms of our ailing healthcare system is the skyrocketing costs. The financial fever is burning both individuals and the economy at large. From escalating drug prices to inflated insurance premiums, the financial burden of healthcare is reaching unsustainable levels. As a result, millions are left grappling with the choice between seeking necessary medical attention and the crippling weight of healthcare bills. U.S. health care spending grew another 4.1% in 2022 reaching a whopping 4.5 trillion dollars which is more than 6 countries combined and is expected to continue to increase year by year.(Centers for Medicare Medicaid: National Health Expenditures 2022 Highlights.2023) On top of that $1.8 trillion, third-party programs, which are often government-funded, and public health programs accounted for another $600 billion in spending (Merelli, 2023).

Fragmented Care: A Broken Bone in the System

Fragmented care exacerbates the systemic ailment. Our healthcare is often disjointed, with different specialists, facilities, and technologies operating in silos. This fragmentation not only hinders seamless patient care but also contributes to inefficiencies, redundancies, and increased costs. The lack of a cohesive approach leaves individuals navigating a complex maze of medical services, often without a clear path to holistic well-being.

Reactive rather than Preventive: Treating Symptoms, Not Causes

Our healthcare system has been historically reactive, focused on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes. This approach is akin to repeatedly mopping a flooded floor without fixing the leak. The emphasis on curative measures, while important, neglects the potential for preventive strategies that could mitigate the onset of chronic diseases and reduce the strain on healthcare resources. Lets address a very preventable disease called type 2 diabetes. The facts are that 37.3 million people have diabetes—that’s 11.3% of the US population. 28.7 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes. 8.5 million people who have diabetes have not been diagnosed and do not know they have it. 96 million US adults have prediabetes. 26.4 million adults 65 or older have prediabetes.

A Prescription for Success: Integrating Functional Medicine into Practice

Functional medicine is a holistic approach to health care that focuses on understanding biology systems to identify and treat the root cause of diseases. There are very few medical schools that offer training in how to test, Why you ask? This is a complex question but can be easily explained by financial resources and support. Universities are largely supported by big pharma and the food industries. In fact, professors are legally able to except funding for studies. This bias system drives research to discover a blockbuster drug in order to alleviate symptoms of disease, bringing people back for more and more.

Mental Health: The Silent Epidemic

While physical health concerns dominate the chaos the silent epidemic of mental health issues remains inadequately addressed. The stigma surrounding mental health, coupled with limited access to mental health services, leaves countless individuals grappling with conditions that affect not only their well-being but also exacerbate physical health problems. The neglect of mental health within our healthcare system is a critical oversight contributing to its unsustainability. When if fact, traditional medicine is missing the gut brain connection despite soaring evidence that highly processed foods and added sugars in over 75% of our SAD diet persists to be the culprit.

Inequitable Access: A Healthcare Divide

Access to quality healthcare is not distributed equitably. Disparities based on socioeconomic factors, geographic location, and demographics create a healthcare divide. Rural communities may lack essential services, and marginalized populations often face barriers to access and healthy foods like green leafy vegetables. This inequity not only perpetuates health disparities but also undermines the foundational principle that healthcare and nutritious food is a fundamental human right.

The Prescription for Change

Addressing the unsustainability of our healthcare system requires a comprehensive and systemic prescription for change.

1. Shift to Preventive-Functional Care:

   - Prioritize preventive measures to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases.

   - Invest in public health campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and anti-inflammatory diets rich in green leafy veggies

2. Integrated Care Models:

   - Foster integrated care models that prioritize coordination among healthcare providers.

   - Leverage technology for seamless information sharing and collaborative decision-making that is un-bias.

3. Mental Health Inclusion:

   - Destigmatize mental health issues to encourage seeking help without fear of judgment.

   - Integrate a functional medicine approach to mental health and promote mental well-being initiatives.

4. Value-Based Healthcare:

   - Shift from a fee-for-service model to value-based care that rewards positive health outcomes.

   - Emphasize patient-centered care that considers individual needs and preferences.

5. Healthcare Workforce Investment:

   - Invest in training in fixing the root cause while retaining healthcare professionals to address workforce shortages.

   - Prioritize testing and healthy lifestyle support for frontline workers to ensure sustainable and resilient healthcare delivery.

6. Technology Integration:

   - Embrace innovative technologies such as telemedicine and advanced in-home laboratory testing for expanded access and efficiency.

   - Implement electronic health records to streamline information sharing and reduce redundancies.

7. Equitable Access Initiatives:

   - Develop targeted initiatives to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities. Such as access to good nutrition while educating consumers about the costs of the standard American diet.

   - Promote policies that ensures equal access to quality healthcare for all, supports regenerative farming and penalizes the production of processed foods that increase disease.

In conclusion, the diagnosis for the sustainability of our healthcare system is dire, but the prescription for change is within our reach. By acknowledging the systemic issues, advocating for reform, and embracing innovative approaches, we can heal our healthcare system and pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable future. The time for action is now - we as consumers STOP purchasing destructive processed foods and send a message for change.

References

Centers for Medicare Medicaid: National Health Expenditures 2022 Highlights. (2023, Dec 14,). Targeted News Service https://search-proquest-com.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/docview/2901567110

Merelli, A. (2023). U.S. government spent more on health care in 2022 than six countries with universal health care combined. Boston Globe Life Sciences Media LLC: STAT.

QuickStats: Percentage of Mothers with Gestational Diabetes, by Maternal Age — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2016 and 2021. (2023). MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(1), 16. https://10.15585/mmwr.mm7201a4