Medical Mission

Aklan, Philippines

February 2008
Expanding Roles for Nurses in US
The United States is facing a health
care crises

The good news is that it may provide
new opportunities for nurses

The tradition of working in a hospital
setting is changing
American Health Status
US spends more per capita than any
other country on health & it
continues to grow. (CDC)

Heart Disease & Stroke are the first
and third leading cause of death in
US, accounting for > 40% of all
deaths (CDC)



In 2000, > 105 million people were
told they high cholesterol (Over 200
mg/dL (CDC)

About 30% of US population are
obese (> 30 pounds over healthy
weight) compared to 23% in 1980s
and 15 % in 1970s.
The US Census Bureau predicts the
US population will grow by 50 million
between 2000 and 2020, these
people will need primary care.

According to HeLP (Healty Lifestyles
and Preventive America Act of 2004,
38.2% of all US deaths in 2000 were
due to tobacco use, poor nutrition &
physical inactivity, and alcohol
consumption.
Unhealthy diet and the lack of
consistent exercise play important
role in many chronic diseases,
including type 2 diabetes,
hypertension, heart disease, stroke,
breast cancer, colon cancer,
gallbladder disease and arthritis,
(CDC)
Cost of Health Care in US
In 1950, the US health care
expenditures were 4.5% of GDP.

By 2001, they rose to 14.1% of GDP.

Expected to continue to rise due to
technology, medications, and aging
population.
In 2001, the US spent $1.4 trillion on
health care-$ 1,400,000,000,000-

The entire French economy was $1.5
trillion US health system spent the
same as Frances total economy.

US is the most technologically
advanced and most expensive in the
world.
The US out spends the nearest
competitor, Switzerland, by >40%
and the entire industrial world by an
average of 134% per person.

The largest portion of health care
dollars (33%) spent on hospital
inpatient stays, physician payments
22%, Pharmaceuticals 10%

The remaining expenditures are for
administration (10%), home health &
nursing care (11%),
Dental/vision/misc. (10%) and
research (3.5%)

About 1/3
rd
of health care costs
($300 billion) each year are for older
adults.

Health care spending due to aging
population will increase by 25%,
between 2000 and 2030 simply
because a larger percentage of the
US population will be older than 65
(CDC)
Why is Health Care Costs
Important?
Pressure for cost containment
National Health care approach
Canada over 30% GCP to Health
care system
Costs will shift from hospital
inpatient base
New Opportunities for Nurses
Long term care Nursing Homes

Now offer Sub-acute or
Rehabilitation wing
Home health agencies
Hospital based satellites, surgical
suites, ambulatory centers
Fountain View of Monroe