Pogo Had it Right

The Boston Globe
October 17, 2007

'World class' is a phase thrown around all too casually, but here in Massachusetts we are justifiably proud of our world-class healthcare institutions.  We have some of the best hospitals inthe world.  Our health insurers are consistently rated as among the most consumer-friendly in the nation.  We are home to Harvard Medical School and the New England Journal of Medicine, two of the  best brands in their fields.  We are the center of the burgeoning life sciences industry.

And so, by extension, are we among the healthiest people in the land? Hardly, says a surprising new national study, which ranks Massachusetts in the bottom quartile of states when it comes to the most common chronic diseases such as cancers, stroke, and pulmonary conditions.  And the threat not only to our health but our economic well-being is likely to get  worse if we continue on our present course. 

... The findings, to be discussed this morning at a conference of the New England Healthcare Institute at the Colonnade Hotel are in contrast to a report this year by the institute and the Boston Foundation that found the health of Greater Boston residents to be good and our life expectancy longer compared to the rest of the country.  But that report, like the Milken report, cited the state's high prevalence of cancers and other chronic diseases.  And most importantly both studies came to the same central conclusion: Massachusetts, like the country at large, faces a huge and rising bill from chronic diseases that are largely  preventable. 

Link to Full Article: http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2007/10/17/pogo_had_it_right/