{"product_id":"getting-what-we-deserve-alfred-sommer-9780801893872","title":"Getting What We Deserve: Health and Medical Care in America","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of America's leading public health experts finds a host of ills in this country's health care system: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- The United States spends nearly twice as much on health care as the rest of the developed world, yet has higher infant mortality rates and shorter longevity than most nations.\u003cbr\u003e- We have access to many different drugs that accomplish the same end at varying costs, and nearly all are cheaper abroad.\u003cbr\u003e- Our life span had doubled over the past century before we developed effective drugs to treat most diseases or even considered altering the human genome.\u003cbr\u003e- The benefits of almost all newly developed treatments are marginal, while their costs are high.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn his blunt assessment of the state of public health in America, Alfred Sommer argues that human behavior has a stronger effect on wellness than almost any other factor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite exciting advances in genomic research and cutting-edge medicine, Sommer explains, most illness can be avoided or managed with simple, low-tech habits such as proper hand washing, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking. But, as he also shows, this is easier said than done.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSommer finds that our fascination with medical advances sometimes keeps us from taking responsibility for our individual well-being. Instead of focusing on prevention, we wait for medical science to cure us once we become sick.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHumorous, sometimes acerbic, and always well informed, Sommer's thought-provoking book will change the way you look at health care in America.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Alfred Sommer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0801893879\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780801893872\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Johns Hopkins University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/01\/2009\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 152\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.71lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.62h x 5.82w x 0.72d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/15\/2009 pg. 97\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/26\/2009 pg. 43\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/2009 pg. 8\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2010\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eScitech Book News\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/2009 pg. 78","brand":"Alfred Sommer","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48448954630399,"sku":"9780801893872","price":27.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_a8b87469-2b24-48a9-846a-cf254e71ab21.jpg?v=1777261329","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/getting-what-we-deserve-alfred-sommer-9780801893872","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}