Even with Obamacare, the ever-rising costs of health insurance is a top concern for many Americans. Family plans with no deductible have an average premium of about $12,000 a year, and plans with an annual deductible have an average premium of $5,000 each year. According to a recent article by Motley Fool, CEO Mark Bertolini states that some insurance premiums may even be doubling by the end of 2014. This issue will continue to remain one of the nation’s top health care concerns.
In addition to the high costs of health insurance, there are several diseases that are a top concern for both the medical community and people. Cancer continues to take its toll with more than 600,000 deaths each year. Breast, prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers continue to rank high among the health challenges that Americans face. The good news is that the most effective treatments are becoming available. For example, the prostate cancer drug Xtandi has proven effective for prolonged survival rates in those with advanced prostate cancer.
Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year. It’s a leading cause of death for both women and men with the most common type being coronary heart disease. With this disease top on the list of health concerns, many Americans are taking a preventative, proactive approach by engaging with a healthier lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet and exercising daily.
With no cure on the horizon, Alzheimer’s disease is a top health concern for Americans. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that there are more than five million Americans are living with this disease, and about 500,000 people die each year due to it. As the baby boom generation continues to near age 65, these numbers are projected to triple by 2050. It’s a top concern because it’s a disease that cannot be prevented, slowed or cured. Currently, Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Researchers are still on the hunt for new treatments to alter the course of Alzheimer’s disease and to improve the quality of life for those with dementia.
More than 25 million Americans battle diabetes with type 2 diabetes being the most common type. Diabetes contributes to a number of other health concerns, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. It’s the 7th leading cause of death in the United States and is also the underlying cause of deaths attributed to other illnesses. On the positive side, drug companies continue to come out with innovative drugs to treat diabetes. The recently approved Johnson & Johnson drug Invokana now controls blood sugar through a different mechanism than previous treatment.
Although Americans are taking positive action to prevent disease, they still rely on government to provide affordable health care and researchers for cures. Prevention, affordable health care insurance and new medical discoveries are all key to solving the top health concerns of Americans.