The Health of Nations: Why Inequality Is Harmful to Your Health

At this point in American history, as we are debating health care "reform" this book is a crucial tool we can use to educate ourselves about the overall context of our health care system. The authors persuasively argue that extreme income inequality in and of itself can negatively affect a nation's health. This means that apart from talking about doctors and nurses and hospitals, we should be (but aren't) talking about inequality in this country. Of course, that is such a hugely taboo topic that a chorus of "class warfare" shouts will be raised if one even mentions the idea that our tax system is far from progressive and that extreme disparities in wealth are not just unseemly but unhealthy. Don't be put off by the few graphs in the text. There is little wonkishness in these pages; the authors do a commendable job summarizing research in the field and making positive suggestions on what implications their research has for our struggling medical system.

For the most part, I'm one of those people who enjoy 95% of what they read and yet are largely quiet about it. I read, and then I move on. This book is one of the few exceptions to this rule. I read the hardbook version of this book during my college "Sociology of Medicine" class three years ago, and it completely changed the way I thought about the delivery of healthcare in the United States and the world. Written by two researchers in public health, Health of Nations is well-written, well-researched and fully cited. Using clear facts and analogies, it drives home the point that healthcare in the United States is a far cry from perfect. Just the fact that I read this book makes me cringe every time that I hear a politician claim that medicine in the United States is the best in the world. Every American who votes on the current state of healthcare should read this book. Soapbox aside, I'm now a third year medical student, and I still refer to this book in conversation. I have also cited it as a reference in at least three academic papers, both in college and in medical school. I'm not sure I could give such high praise to any other book I have read for school. All in all, this a well-crafted nonfiction book that will leave a lasting impression.

Chasing the American Dream could be dangerous to your health. People with extrinsic goal orientation (i.e. chasing fame, fortune, recognition, and good looks) were more likely to be depressed than the rest of the population.The richest citizens on earth (Americans) had a higher infant mortality and lower life expectancy than 25 other economically developed nations. A high infant mortality and low life expectancy correlate with an inequality in income distribution. Americans also took less vacation time and worked five to ten weeks more per year than people of other countries. This correlates with a high incidence of depression and other medical conditions including obesity and diabetes.The authors concluded that economic inequality, relentless competition, escalating consumption threatened the health of the people and the nation.