American life expectancy began declining even before the onset of the pandemic, serving as a crucial indicator of the nation’s overall health status and signaling underlying issues within the United States. The surge in preventable premature deaths can be predominantly attributed to a five-fold increase in drug overdoses over the past few decades. However, this concerning trend extends beyond just this factor, primarily fueled by the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses.
The escalation in rates of depression has reached unprecedented levels. Since the early 2000s, the obesity rates among adults have surged from 30% to 42%, with severe obesity nearly doubling, consequently heightening the risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other severe health conditions. The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases has been a growing concern since the 2010s, while cases of sexually transmitted infections have seen a significant uptick over the last decade. Notably, Covid-19 emerged as one of the top three causes of death in the country, marking the first time since 1937 that an infectious disease held such a position.
These health challenges not only pose significant threats on their own but also exert a profound impact on the nation’s economy. Studies suggest that a mere one-year increase in life expectancy could potentially enhance economic productivity by 4%. Conversely, as the health of Americans deteriorates, healthcare expenditures continue to skyrocket. The country currently allocates a staggering $4.5 trillion annually towards healthcare, representing 17% of the GDP. The escalating out-of-pocket healthcare costs are placing immense financial strain on workers and are pushing individuals towards bankruptcy, perpetuating a cycle of a less healthy workforce and a weakened economy.
While policymakers recognized the intrinsic link between the economy and public health during the peak of the pandemic, the subsequent abandonment of these efforts post the initial control of Covid-19 poses a looming crisis for the nation. It is imperative to rekindle historical support for public health measures, emphasizing the business case for maintaining a healthy workforce.
Dating back to 1842, Edwin Chadwick emphasized in his seminal work “Report on the Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population of Great Britain” that investments in public health are not only morally imperative but also crucial for enhancing economic productivity. Similarly, during World War II, the U.S. government invested in public health initiatives to combat malaria transmission, vaccinate against diseases, and control sexually transmitted infections, significantly reducing preventable discharges and workdays lost.
Effective public health infrastructure plays a pivotal role in enabling individuals to lead healthier lives, with historical data showcasing a doubling of the average human lifespan globally over the last century. Prioritizing resources such as clean air, affordable healthy food, stable housing, and safe workplaces has been shown to be more predictive of good health and longevity than access to healthcare and insurance.
Despite the strides made during the pandemic to address basic needs through programs like eviction freezes and expanded food assistance, challenges persist. The absence of universal paid sick leave and family medical leave in the U.S. compels many individuals to choose between going to work sick or risking a day’s wages. Furthermore, the focus on treating illnesses after they manifest, rather than investing in preventive measures, contributes to the exorbitant healthcare costs in the country.
By reframing public health as an economic necessity, there is an opportunity to garner broader support for interventions that have proven effective in improving overall well-being and productivity. It is essential to prioritize initiatives that aim to keep individuals and workers healthy in the first place, thus shifting the focus towards proactive measures rather than reactive responses to health crises.