Well: What We Need to Talk About When We Talk About Health

Physician Sandro Galea examines why Americans spend more money on health than other countries but live shorter, less healthy lives. He argues that the country's failing health is a product of the society and culture Americans have built for themselves and that a new understanding of the problems and promise of health is needed.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 304 pages
\n Publication date: 30 May 2019
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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Americans are known for spending a significant amount of their income on healthcare, but the results are not always impressive. In terms of life expectancy and overall health, Americans often fall behind other wealthy countries. The problem, according to physician Sandro Galea, is that Americans are too focused on medicine when it comes to understanding health. Our national perspective on what constitutes being well revolves around medical treatments, lifestyle choices, and insurance plans. While these factors are important, they have not been proven to be the key determinants of health on a large scale.

Well is a groundbreaking book that challenges the way we think about health in America. Galea argues that the country's poor health outcomes are not just a result of individual choices but are also shaped by the society and culture that Americans have created for themselves. He explores the subtle and not-so-subtle factors that determine who has access to good health in America, including factors such as income, education, race, and geography.

One of the key themes of Well is the idea that health is not just the absence of disease but also a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Galea argues that we need to shift our focus from treating diseases to promoting healthy lifestyles and environments. This includes promoting access to healthy food, safe and affordable housing, and quality education and healthcare.

Galea also criticizes the way that healthcare is currently organized in America. He argues that the current system is too focused on profit and efficiency, which leads to unnecessary tests, treatments, and surgeries. Instead, he proposes a more holistic approach to healthcare that emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and patient-centered care.

Well is a deeply affecting and personal work that offers a new understanding of the problems and promise of health in America. Galea's writing is rigorous and well-researched, but he also brings a personal perspective to the issue, sharing his own experiences as a physician and his observations of the healthcare system. The book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in improving the health of our society and our individual lives.

\n Weight: 442g\n
Dimension: 151 x 217 x 27 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780190916831\n \n