Andrew Hoang
ENG 226
Sec 23
America, are we No. 1?
Introduction
In the article “In Health, We’re not No. 1,” Robert J. Samuelson compares the state of the United Stats national health, compared to similar countries. His article published in the Washington Post, argues that poor American health is linked to social beliefs and the freedom of choice.
Summary
In his introduction, Samuelson claims that “Being American is bad for your health, relatively speaking” (p. 29). His conclusion is based on an analysis done by an Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The results from OECD lists that America as a whole is well below what the health standards should be for a first world country. Samuelson argues that it is not …show more content…
He acknowledges that only 12 percent of doctors are general practitioners put up against an upwards of 49 percent in other countries, like France (p. 30). The freedom of choice not only affects the poor, but also affects the wealthy. The choices that Americans make is why the U.S is well below the average compared to other nations, argues Samuelson. He concludes his piece saying how doctors are more concerned with the money in specialization and how “We think we are No. 1 even if we aren’t” (p. 31).
Argument
As mentioned above, Samuelson’s main purpose for writing this article analyze how social issues in the U.S. is directly related to poor health. His main argument is that Americans have an egotistical view about everything, including health, where no matter what they do, they will always be on top. He expresses how freedom encourages poor behavior and life choices such as teen pregnancies and heath/eating habits.
Evaluation
Firstly, the author is a Harvard graduate with an MBA in government. He is a journalist for the Washington Post, where he focuses on government, business, and economics. Writing about U.S. health seems to be out of his expertise, especially when Samuelson links poor health to social …show more content…
He gives some statistics with teen pregnancy, for example, for girls ages 15 - 19, the pregnancy rate is around 3.5 times higher compared to similar countries (p. 30). What he doesn’t include is that abortion rates in America (19%) sits in the middle compared to other countries like Western Europe who averages at about 12% abortion rate (Hrenchir). In part of his conclusion, Samuelson only mentions that Americans have a poor diet as a factor in poor health, but gives no statistics. Though the United States obesity rate is still in the lead compared to other countries, an article found on pbs.org informs that obesity is likely linked to race, rather than income, indicating that some of the fault is not because of freedom and choice, but because of biological makeup (Sassi). Furthermore, a study conducted by OECD concluded in 2010 Mexico (30%) was ranked first in obesity rates, then the U.S. second (28%), quickly followed by New Zealand and Australia (27%) (Allen).
Conclusion This critical review has evaluated the article In “Health, We’re Not No. 1,” by Robert J. Samuelson. The support that Samuelson presents for his claim is there, but not thoroughly presented with the necessary information to defend it, damaging his credibility. He claims that health in America is poor, but backs it up by saying that it is strictly because of American values. Though that may play a role, that may not be the total reason
ENG 226
Sec 23
America, are we No. 1?
Introduction
In the article “In Health, We’re not No. 1,” Robert J. Samuelson compares the state of the United Stats national health, compared to similar countries. His article published in the Washington Post, argues that poor American health is linked to social beliefs and the freedom of choice.
Summary
In his introduction, Samuelson claims that “Being American is bad for your health, relatively speaking” (p. 29). His conclusion is based on an analysis done by an Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The results from OECD lists that America as a whole is well below what the health standards should be for a first world country. Samuelson argues that it is not …show more content…
He acknowledges that only 12 percent of doctors are general practitioners put up against an upwards of 49 percent in other countries, like France (p. 30). The freedom of choice not only affects the poor, but also affects the wealthy. The choices that Americans make is why the U.S is well below the average compared to other nations, argues Samuelson. He concludes his piece saying how doctors are more concerned with the money in specialization and how “We think we are No. 1 even if we aren’t” (p. 31).
Argument
As mentioned above, Samuelson’s main purpose for writing this article analyze how social issues in the U.S. is directly related to poor health. His main argument is that Americans have an egotistical view about everything, including health, where no matter what they do, they will always be on top. He expresses how freedom encourages poor behavior and life choices such as teen pregnancies and heath/eating habits.
Evaluation
Firstly, the author is a Harvard graduate with an MBA in government. He is a journalist for the Washington Post, where he focuses on government, business, and economics. Writing about U.S. health seems to be out of his expertise, especially when Samuelson links poor health to social …show more content…
He gives some statistics with teen pregnancy, for example, for girls ages 15 - 19, the pregnancy rate is around 3.5 times higher compared to similar countries (p. 30). What he doesn’t include is that abortion rates in America (19%) sits in the middle compared to other countries like Western Europe who averages at about 12% abortion rate (Hrenchir). In part of his conclusion, Samuelson only mentions that Americans have a poor diet as a factor in poor health, but gives no statistics. Though the United States obesity rate is still in the lead compared to other countries, an article found on pbs.org informs that obesity is likely linked to race, rather than income, indicating that some of the fault is not because of freedom and choice, but because of biological makeup (Sassi). Furthermore, a study conducted by OECD concluded in 2010 Mexico (30%) was ranked first in obesity rates, then the U.S. second (28%), quickly followed by New Zealand and Australia (27%) (Allen).
Conclusion This critical review has evaluated the article In “Health, We’re Not No. 1,” by Robert J. Samuelson. The support that Samuelson presents for his claim is there, but not thoroughly presented with the necessary information to defend it, damaging his credibility. He claims that health in America is poor, but backs it up by saying that it is strictly because of American values. Though that may play a role, that may not be the total reason