Overcoming Obstacles to Health

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has just released a landmark report and founded the Commission to Build a Healthier America. The report and commission spell out the reason for studying disparities in health status and state that much ill health has little to do with medical care and everything to do with the social support system provided within communities. The commission will study health disparities within the U.S and recommend actions to change support systems to improve everyone's health. Tables within the current report show how far the U.S. has is fallen behind the other developed countries in caring for its citizens during the last 40 years. Part of the problem is clearly the focus on technology and research while loosing sight of social needs.