Big day for those in the USA but what exactly is this day about and what are the American citizens celebrating on this official holiday?
Back in 1776 a Declaration of Independence was signed and we all know it was about Liberty, Equality and Freedom for ALL. But what is it actually saying and how much affect has this had on the world and not just those living in the USA?
What does the word Independence mean?
Oxford English Dictionary quotes that the word is a derivative of the word Independent
“free from outside control; not subject to another’s authority.”
OK so to most of us that means Freedom and doing whatever we want – right?
No more control or being told by ‘authority’ what to do?
So how has this “freedom” helped one of our biggest nations in the world to evolve?
What has changed in the past 340 years?
Cancer is the 2nd highest cause of death in the USA
The number of adults in USA diagnosed with cancer is 20.3 million
584,881 people have died from cancer in the USA
29 million Americans have diabetes, this is up from the 26 million people estimated in 2010.
1 in 4 don’t know they have it
86 million American adults (1 in 3) aged 20 and over have prediabetes.
9 out of 10 do not know they have it
In 2012 diabetes and its related complications cost $245 billion in total medical costs, lost work and wages
In 2014, there were over 1 million violent crimes reported throughout the USA
Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime
On a typical day there are more than 20,000 calls placed to domestic violence helplines throughout the USA
Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the USA.
This equals more than 10 million women and men in a year
The number of women and girls at risk of Female Genital Mutilation has more than doubled in the USA in the last 10 years
More than half a million women and girls in the USA are at risk of having Female Genital Mutilation in the USA or abroad, or have already undergone the procedure, including 166,173 aged under 18
513,000 women and girls live with Female Genital Mutilation in the USA today
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the USA
In 2014, there were 42,773 deaths by suicide in the USA
Firearms account for 50% of all suicides
494,169 people went to a hospital for injuries due to self harm
Depression is the USA’s leading mental health problem, with 35 to 40 million Americans estimated to experience major depression at some point in their lives
Anxiety affects about 14.8 million American adults per year
In 2010, alcohol misuse problems cost the USA $249 billion
In 2014, 87.6% of American adults aged 18 and over who said that they had drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime
In 2014, 16.3 million American adults aged 18 and over had an Alcohol Use Disorder
In 2014, 679,000 young people aged 12-17 had an Alcohol Use Disorder
Nearly 88,000 people die in the USA from alcohol-related causes each year
In 2013, 45.8% of liver disease deaths in people aged 12 and over were alcohol-related
These statistics are already out of date, so what are the real numbers today?
Do we care enough or turn and look the other way as it is just too much?
Do we read numbers and ignore the reality because it is in another country?
How serious is it when one of our biggest nations has this going on and we have not asked the Why question?
Why are we not asking for answers when 40 million people in one country are suffering from a mental health problem?
What about all those who are affected because they are living with or caring for someone who has major depression?
Why is a nation spending $249 billion on alcohol misuse problems 6 years ago?
Why do 9 out of 10 adults not know they have pre-diabetes?
Why is it that we do not put effort and resources into getting true and accurate facts out to the public and make this our nations’ priority?
Not sure if you are interested in reading the actual Declaration but here is one line –
‘But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security’.
So let’s break this down – we all know what Abuse is.
Usurpations means taking a position of power illegally or by force.
Despotism means the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.
Evinces means state clearly, make obvious and plain (taken from internet as dictionary has no meaning for this word now).
What is this telling us?
What is this spelling out to us? – pun intended
Is it saying that we do not want to state things clear, plain and make them obvious, so we do not need that word?
In the film ‘National Treasure’ when Nicolas Cage quotes the above line and says it means:
If there is something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the Responsibility to take action.
Is this telling us something deeper and could this message apply to ALL of us?
Could it be possible that this means we are not to stand by and allow what we Know is wrong to continue?
Could it be possible that some of us ‘have the ability’ to say more, take action and express what we Know, so others do not suffer?
Could it be possible that sitting on the fence, doing nothing when you know you can is what is harming our world?
Could it be possible that if something is Absolute Truth then we are to stand by that Truth, Express that Truth and not hold back – no matter what?
Could it be possible that this message is for the whole world to unite and no longer allow any form of abuse and that includes cyber abuse which was not around in 1776?
Could it be possible that the word RESPONSIBILITY is now in our face?
Could it be possible that this means we have a duty to take action?
Could it be possible that we are accountable and it’s time to look at our level of Responsibility?
Could it be possible that taking Responsibility in a true way will empower us?
Could it be possible that Living Responsibility is what will change our world?
Could it be possible that consistency is now the name of the game?
In other words, we cannot just dip in and out when we feel like it but it’s time to step up and claim that word Responsibility by living it to the best of our ability?
Does this feel too much now as we go and celebrate a monumental day in history that maybe if we can admit, we know very little about?
If for one moment we choose to suspend All our views, opinions, judgements or beliefs and stop the blame, campaigning, championing, fighting and being right about this or that and got Back to Basics what would happen?
What would happen if we commit to taking RESPONSIBILITY for ALL our choices and then be Accountable for those choices?
Would that bring about the True Freedom we are seeking inside of us?
Would that change the meaning of what we may think Independence is?
Is Independence keeping out our fellow brothers and creating tension inside us?
Does this way of living really bring us the True Freedom many of us are fighting for?
Are we as a race of beings designed to be in True Brotherhood and that means not being separate but knowing we are all interconnected?
Dear World – Could it be that simple?
References
Concise Oxford English Dictionary – Twelfth Edition. Oxford University Press. 2011
The Declaration of Independence
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document
Gaul, J. The Declaration of Independence: A Fight for Freedom
http://coursesite.uhcl.edu/HSH/Whitec/LITR/4231/models/rp/rp2010/rp2/rp2gaul.html
Westcott, L. (2016, February, 6). Female Genital Mutilation on the Rise in the U.S.
http://europe.newsweek.com/fgm-rates-have-doubled-us-2004-304773?rm=eu
(n.d). National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://www.ncadv.org/learn/statistics
The FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2014 Crime in the United States
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-12
(2016). American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Suicide Statistics.
https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics
(2016). Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. Suicide Facts
http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=705D5DF4-055B-F1EC-3F66462866FCB4E6
(2016). Major Depression Facts. Understanding Clinical (Major) Depression Today
http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/dlp/depression-information/major-depression-facts
(2016, January). National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Facts and Statistics
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
(2016, April 27). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancer
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/cancer.htm
(2014, June 17). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes Latest
http://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetesfactsheet/
Comments 26
The statistics shared here show a disharmonious way of being for us all. This way of living makes no sense to the human heart; when I think with my heart, I can no longer go along as if it is acceptable.
I did not think there could be ANY Female Genital Mutilation this country… but it goes on here and has even doubled… How could we not know this horror we are all allowing when we KNOW it should never ever happen?
I have experienced the hell of being in mental illness and of loving ones who are in mental illness and this in no way to live, it is not something to be ignored so we can push on in the same ill way and celebrate without addressing it.
How can we go on acting as if things are OK when so much is not working for us personally, as a country and as a people all over the world? How long will we continue to skirt real conversation to avoid dealing with what ails us all?
…so speaking up when something feels abusive, oppressive or unloving is a commitment I can make now. Not allowing numbness and disregard to creep in when things are going well for ‘me’ is a commitment I can make now. Making each day a day that I consciously work on being more aware and honoring of my deeper responsibilities as a person is a commitment I can make now.
Thank you Bina Pattel for your courage in honesty; it is the medicine we need.
May a trend in honesty begin now and take hold of us all so that we will begin to heal and to find our true way; a way that does not cause or allow harm.
You make some excellent points here Jo and I agree with you that ‘it makes no sense to the human heart’ to live in this way. The question is why are we Accepting this lesser state of being as normal?
Our researchers and resources need to focus on every single person who is not living a life that is true health and well being and by that I mean someone who has vitality levels that are consistent. Sending missions to the moon and other planets may seem like we are advancing as a race of beings but are we honestly when we have these statistics in our face?
I feel you sum it up when you say at the end ‘to find our true way; a way that does not cause or allow harm’. This is significant if we are to truly evolve.
This is one of the strongest calls to action I have ever read and felt. It calls very deeply within to the very personal responsibility we have to our fellow man, wherever they may be. This world is in a mess. The statistics here on the US of A are boggling, least of all because we see the news and it is all about a political race or another shooting. Surface stuff really.
No depth and no truth to be seen or heard. No one mentions these statistics – Why?
These statistics are a world away from the WHO ( World Health Organisation) ideals of a country whose citizens are living truly healthily. Is this not the scariest part of all? We are actually ignoring everything that is going on in every single part of the world and focusing on the most insignificant parts – is this to avoid the fact that this is actually going on and WE are all suffering. Is it possible that the world leaders are all in the same boat as the ‘rest of us’ and have no clue as to who to stop the illness and disease? Is it possible that we have all given away our power to the fact that – someone! will sort it out meanwhile I can get on with my job, my little life and not worry.
Why are we so out of touch? Why is it that we as a race of beings in whatever country in the world are not choosing to be personally responsible? Is it possible that we have all buried our heads in the sand? We just do not want to face the fact that we have all contributed to this mess? That it cannot be undone buy a world leader, or a few – that we all have to get our hands dirty and start to take – and here is that word again – RESPONSIBILITY?
Reading these statistics there is nothing Great about America, there is no reason for it to be leader of the western world – a leader in what ? Sickness, misery and death? It is not just about America for this leader of nations is in fact on its knees – lets all start to look around us and see for ourselves wherever we are what is truly going on in our country, our town, our city. This is a start – to open our eyes and really start to see the truth of what is happening.
We need to deeply consider here that life is so very precious and we are very much on a roundabout that is way off the mark with what we ‘think’ are our priorities.
This is the sort of document that is needed in front of governments every where.
Great comment Lee Green and could well be a blog in itself as you are really asking questions which is what we all need to be discussing at every opportunity. I feel we are burying our heads in the sand and not taking personal Responsibility and this is why we have one of our biggest nations a leader in sickness and illness.
The blame game is now over and its time and as you say time to get ‘our hands dirty’ by taking RESPONSIBILITY for our choices.
Recently there is talk about how lifestyle choices have lifestyle diseases and this should not be dismissed. How we are living is truly affecting us whether we like to admit that or not. We are way off the mark as you say and we need to deeply look at our priorities and where we are choosing to put our focus.
This tablet of truth which we call a blog will go down in history. Maybe not many will be interested right now, but this digital footprint is here to stay so that future generations know there were some who did not give up and were doing their bit by taking Responsibility.
Great blog – about what we are choosing to focus on – do we focus on traditional celebrations, holidays, and only look in the ‘bright’ side of life? or do we take stock and look what is really going on – considering our part in it.
Not sure many would be stopping long enough to take stock and look at what is really going on Jane. What you say here about ‘considering our part in it’ is huge if we read between the lines.
Why is it that we never want to change or make change or do anything unless we are forced to through an incident, accident, illness or dis-ease in our body. It is only when things get really uncomfortable to a point where it is unbearable that we may consider change or be open to another way.
I clearly was one of those people and it took not just an organ to be removed following a tumour but burning my hand so badly I could not work for a long time. It was then that I thought better make changes as nothing else is working.
Amazing how much suffering we are prepared to endure and continue in this familiar pattern even though it is harming us so deeply.
Making changes has today led to not just an amazing simple basic life but a monumental website to support humanity. Nothing in this world feels more rewarding than knowing you make a difference, you don’t need recognition for it and you love to simply GET ON WITH IT.
Great Bina! To most the 4th is another excuse to party. Let us truly look at what principals this country was founded on . Is that what we have ? Or are we avoiding seeing the truth and blaming our government rather then taking responsibility and doing something about it in our own lives. We in the U.S. are not moving forward in any way and all we need to do is take a real look around us to see that . I was born and have lived in the U.S. for 65 years.
Thank you for your contribution Kenneth Elmer as a USA citizen.
Interesting what you say “we in the U.S. are not moving forward in any way and all we need to do is take a real look around us to see that”. Correct as these statistics are the raw reality of what is truly going on and we have not covered obesity and all other illnesses as this blog is merely a snapshot.
Also we tend to ‘blame the government rather than taking responsibility and doing something about it in our own lives’ as you say because it suits us. Why?
Could it be possible that we are comfortable in our uncomfortableness even though it makes no sense?
Could it be possible commitment to life feels too much as we just love our distractions and indulgences?
Could it be possible that our behaviour is familiar even though we know it is hurting us?
Great Michael, glad you mentioned other illnesses and diseases like asthma, arthritis and heart disease. These figures that have been quoted on this blog need to be news headlines and the people need to ask why they are not up to date with what is really going on.
The question is why is the media not reporting this stuff when it is so important to us?
The other thing that you mention about having the greatest intelligence and technology in the U.S. leaves us all to ask why then do they have these statistics quoted on this blog.
Why is domestic violence so high and what is the root cause of this?
Why are we not spending resources and asking our researchers to find a way to end the drug crisis?
How intelligent are we really if this is the state of an advanced nation and leader in our world today?
I feel shell shocked after reading this blog as the reality check sinks in. I do not live in the USA but know that if I looked at similar stats for Australia then they would be just as shocking. We are all responsible for so much more than we understand or realise. Our choices have all of us fighting someone or something in this world, existing on our planet and surviving as a race of beings rather than being in harmony with each other, living lovingly on this planet and making choices that evolve ourselves and each other. We are so very far away from true independence and as such I will not leave this blog and bury my head in the sand but rather begin to return to living Back to Basics which will change how I am in this world.
Thank you for your comment Sally and this website is dedicated to bringing more awareness about what is actually really going on as we don’t seem to all know. As the blog states, the statistics are out of date so imagine what is really going on today.
One thing we do know is that it has not got better. Fact.
Sitting on the fence, staying comfortable in our uncomfortableness or burying our head in the sand as you say is not the way forward out of this mess we have all contributed to on our earth.
It is high time to take Responsibility and making choices that do not harm our body, our environment and others. Time to stop the blame game and wanting others to change but not willing to change ourself.
Something is majorly wrong in this world for all of us and if we go on getting used to it and/or pretending things are OK as we have been we will continue to sink… enough pain anyone?
The statistics shared here show a disharmonious way of being for us all. This way of living makes no sense to the human heart; when I think with my heart, I can no longer go along as if it is acceptable.
Correct Jo Billings – if we all stopped for one moment and made the choice as you have said to think with your heart then we would realise that we cannot just bop along existing in life, knowing the harm we are contributing and thinking it is ok and acceptable.
My question is why have we accepted this lesser state of being?
It makes no sense, it leaves us empty and dis-connected and it takes us away from who we truly are.
No wonder we have illness and disease on the rise and more calamaties than ever in our daily life and on the planet.
The statistics on here are shocking and as the author states these are already out of date; so what are they today? Seeing what I see everyday in my work I would say that these figures would have most certainly increased. Life is not good for most people no matter how much we may try and mask it. The statistics quoted really say it all and confirm the fact that things are not good. However, just one person taking responsibility and choosing not to allow abuse into their lives from others and by the way that they act, think and speak can make such a difference. Like the ripple effect in a pool, when we throw a stone in, our whole environment is affected by the way that we are. One person truly can make a difference.
When I read the Constitution, I felt inspired that these were the principals that the USA was founded on. The USA was founded by people who were fed up with the way of life that they left in Europe. It took great courage and determination to cross the ocean and start a new way of life.
I feel it is time take a real look at what we(I have lived in the USA for 65 years) have created. Is it what we would call the American Dream?
It is time to use that courage and determination to make some real changes, because what we have been doing has not worked.
Taking responsibility for own lives is the way to start. What we ask for, our economy provides. That is what a democracy is all about. So no more giving up mentality we are the only ones that can make a change in our country.
Let’s use our status as a world leader and show what can be accomplished, if we all work together. We can create a quality of life that actually supports everyone equally. That is what the Constitution is all about.
These statistics are just astounding in their volume, but I feel that any country we look at would have equally distressing statistics.
If a country like the USA has these sort of figures, with all of its wealth and resources, then maybe it is time we started to look at different reasons why illness and disease is increasing. Throwing money at our health issues has not and is not working. Yes there have been medical breakthroughs and people are now living longer and more ‘comfortable’ lives with illnesses like cancer, but yet the cancer rates are increasing along with most other illness rates.
As a race of beings, isn’t it time we started to ask more questions as to ‘WHY’ we get these illnesses and diseases instead of either blaming something or someone outside of ourselves or just shrugging our shoulders and saying ‘oh well, it was meant to be’.
The points you make about Responsibility and Accountability are spot on Simple Living Global. We make choices all day, every day and it those choices that shape our lives.
Whether we choose to eat the wrong foods, the wrong drink, take drugs, live a life of disregard and be unloving towards ourselves or others, it is all OUR choices.
So-Could being responsible and accountable for all of our choices really make a difference to our lives?
In 1776 there were 13 colonies in the country now known as the United States of America decided to change their way of life that didn’t support them.
Maybe it is time now, for people everywhere, to change their way of life that doesn’t support them?
These are staggering statistics in this blog and just one country, include the rest of the world and in our current time where are we now? It gives much to consider. It seems clear to me that how we are living and what we are choosing isn’t working.
The questions Simple Living Global ask makes sense to me, to bring it back to the responsibility of each one of us, to look at how we are living and the choices we are making.
It would be true to say that we have given the people of the United States their freedom but has this honestly changed their lives for the better?
Looking at these statistics we have to be seriously asking some questions.
If we just apply some common sense and join the dots – something is clearly not working.
This statistic just stuck out –
In 2010, alcohol misuse problems cost the USA $249 billion.
What is the real figure today 7 years later in 2017?
A huge nation in trouble and solutions to function are not working. The band aid is simply not cutting it. What if we started to dig deeper and look at this freedom thing closely and ask is it really the way forward if we are to ever evolve out of the mess we have created?
We need to get to the root cause and not spend billions trying to work out ways to combat and make things better. Our world is crying out for true help whilst our statistics confirm things are getting worse.
Surely it is high time we at least asked – Is there another way?
https://simplelivingglobal.com/is-there-another-way/
Its 2017 and if we look closely these stats are out of date and most of us know that when statistics are published they are already out of date. That is just how research works and so we can guess, or assume or predict, what it might actually be today.
My take is things have got worse in the USA having read some news articles about obesity and other dis-eases in the body.
The Surgeon General has for the first time ever produced a report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health, which is titled – Facing Addiction in America.
Over 430 pages from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is telling us things really are not great in any way, if we are looking at the whole health of the nation.
Just in the introduction on page 4 it says “66.7 million individuals in the United States aged 12 or older admitted to binge drinking in the past month and 27.1 million people aged 12 or older used an illicit drug in the past month.
In my world that alone, especially the young age, tells me something is seriously wrong and what on earth are we celebrating if our kids are taking drugs and alcohol?
I keep thinking – Are our well intended interventions to come up with solutions the real answer?
Is there another way, as this website keeps saying?
Is the word Responsibility needed now more than ever before?
What I feel is a game changer, life changer is that if someone is helping another, say to come off alcohol, then they themselves need to be totally free of the substance. If not it is a blind spot and how can things truly change?
Common sense tells me that if I was told to give up smoking by a medical professional who smokes, then chances are I will probably feel that on some level and not really pay any attention. Therefore no real change because we all find it easier when we are truly and deeply inspired by another who walks the walk and talks the talk. In other words, LIVES what they are presenting. Makes sense to me.
May is Mental Health month in the USA.
Current statistics state that 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness with many conditions starting during teenage years – 50% by age 14, 75% by age 24.
90% of people who die by suicide have ill mental health.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/05/03/mental-health-month-united-states-stats-on-mental-illness/101238906/
Whilst it is good that we have World Awareness days and months, what happens during the other days and months of the year? Do we close our eyes to mental health or any other illness until the next awareness day or month comes round?
Do we have effective tools that help us get to the root of why we are so sick?
I give thanks everyday to Simple Living Global for not taking their foot off the gas and consistently, on a weekly basis, posting articles that state what is going on in our world and presenting another way to live that actually might be the answer.
It is for all of us readers to discern whether this is the case, however with articles like this and these 3 on mental health, depression and our Youth alone
https://simplelivingglobal.com/world-mental-health-day/
https://simplelivingglobal.com/world-health-day-depression/
https://simplelivingglobal.com/international-youth-day/
as one reader I find there is a lot of sense being made about why things are the way that they are and potentially how we can change this by starting with ourselves.
Simple Living Global is a game changer of a website, that opens our eyes and shakes us out of our comfortable lives, so that we can see and feel that all is not well for everyone, everywhere.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/7/4/15916030/drunk-driving-deadliest-days
This news story is telling us that the 4th July is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving.
Independence Day had the second highest percent of car crash deaths that were linked to alcohol and 3rd July was also in the top 10.
So in truth this is not a celebration of how great this nation is really doing.
What is it about us humans that we need to celebrate with a scientific proven poison that alters our natural state?
Where is our common sense?
Where is our moral compass inside us?
WHY do we choose to ignore this fact that deep down we do know?
WHY does alcohol and the word ‘celebration’ go hand in hand?
WHY do public holidays like Independence Day have alcohol on the agenda?
WHY do we have a licence to abuse our body because of a day in the calendar?
What is really going on that makes us want to seek a poison in the first place?
There is more on this in our alcohol blog –
https://simplelivingglobal.com/the-real-truth-about-alcohol/
January 2017
The results of the annual ‘Stress in America’ survey by the American Psychological Association shows that there has been a statistically significant increase in stress in Americans for the first time in ten years.
The 2016 election and the lead up to it was noted as a stressor for many.
75% of survey respondents said they were stressed about the future of America.
Concerns have gone up about personal safety with the highest level of concern since 2008 as 34% of respondents said they are worried about personal safety.
59% worried about terrorism and 44% reported stress related to police violence against minorities.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-15/americans-just-broke-the-psychologists-stress-record
There are seemingly more and more things to be stressed and worried about today in our world and so it is no surprise that the survey stress results have increased.
America is not the land of the free as we have been lead to believe if there is so much illness and disease occurring including stress.
So when do we get off the stress treadmill and is it possible that we can change and live a life not feeling stressed, worried and overwhelmed with what is happening around us?
This website by Simple Living Global has a lot of, if not THE answers as to how we can live in a way that is more connected with ourselves, be aware of what is happening in the world and have understanding rather than overwhelm.
WHY?
Because the author and founder of this website lives that way.
Re-reading this blog it is evident that this is a nation that is not doing well.
Can we all agree that we are also a world that is not well?
The statistics from this one country exposes that fact, quite clearly.
When we read this blog, for some of us it may be hard to deny that the author poses very relevant, poignant and honest questions and that was 3 years ago as this blog was published in 2016.
So where are we today?
2017 statistics from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that –
Suicide was still the 10th leading cause of death in USA with more than 47,000 people having died in this way.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml
Suicide – 2nd leading cause of deaths for people aged 10 – 34 and the 4th leading cause of death for people aged 35 – 54.
There were twice as many suicides than homicides.
9.8 million US adults have had serious thoughts of committing suicide
2.8 million had made suicide plans
1.3 million adults had attempted suicide
Will this trend continue?
Will we keep seeing rising numbers?
What is causing this?
Are we ready to ask serious questions?
We may think we are doing well with our riches, our financial successes, our ability to buy this and that including having numerous holidays each year – but what if none of that is worth anything if we are left feeling disconnected, lonely and isolated inside?
What if none of this means anything if we cannot feel comfortable in our own skin?
What if all of the riches in the world cannot cure why we feel suicidal?
Is there more for us to understand regarding suicide?
https://simplelivingglobal.com/world-suicide-prevention-day/
Does Simple Living Global have the answer?
Cleveland Clinic – 6 September 2023
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2023/09/06/cleveland-clinic-survey-examines-the-current-state-of-mens-health-in-america/
New survey highlights a disconnect between men’s perception of their health and their actual health habits.
• 44% do not get a yearly physical
• 44% do not take care of their mental health
• 83% have experienced stress in the last six months
• 27% watch TV for more than five hours per day on average
1,000 males aged 18 and older took part in the survey.
Survey findings point to stress being a common factor.
65% said they are hesitant to seek professional help for mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Men are spending 2.3 hours per day scrolling through social media and those who are hesitant to seek professional help for mental health issues are almost twice as likely to spend 5 or more hours on social media.
CNBC – Consumer News Business Channel – 19 September 2023
US national debt hits $33 trillion for the first time
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/19/united-states-national-debt-tops-33-trillion-for-first-time.html
• The US Department of the Treasury said national debt of the US reached a historic milestone by passing $33 trillion.
• The level was reached less than two weeks before the federal government faces a potential shutdown over a lack of funding authorisation.
• The issue of the debt is at the centre of a standstill in Congress over a spending bill that would sustain the government until the next funding cycle.
$33.04 trillion – debt, which equals the amount of money borrowed by the federal government to cover operating expenses.
2019 and fiscal 2021
50% increase in federal spending contributed to the debt topping the $33 trillion.
Tax cuts, stimulus programs and decreased tax revenue as a result of widespread unemployment during the Covid-19 pandemic were factors in driving government borrowing to new heights.
Commonwealth Fund – 19 September 2024
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Blumenthal_Mirror_Mirror_2024_PR_2024-09-19_v3.pdf
NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDY:
U.S. Health System fails many Americans
Ranks LOWEST on Health Equity, Access and Outcomes
Among 10 nations, Americans die the youngest and live the sickest lives, despite the U.S. spending the most on health care.
The U.S. ranks last on 5 of the 6 health outcome measures.
U.S. have the shortest lives and the most avoidable deaths.
Despite spending the most of any nation in the study, the United States has the worst performing health care system overall.
The report – Mirror Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System reveals that low-income Americans are much more likely to experience problems accessing quality care.
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2024/sep/mirror-mirror-2024
In addition, U.S. physicians report the 2nd highest rate of people being treated unfairly by the health system and patients experiencing discrimination or health concerns not being taken seriously because of their race or ethnicity.
Life expectancy and avoidable deaths, the U.S. comes in last.
The U.S. is the only high-income nation in the study that does not provide universal health coverage.
25 million Americans remain un-insured.
25% cannot afford care when they need it.
U.S. patients more likely to report they do not have a regular doctor or place of care compared to residents of other countries.