A report has been released on the overall healthiness of Americans and it ranks each state on physical health, job satisfaction and other quality of life characteristics. While Hawaii, Colorado, Utah, Minnesota and Vermont came in ranked 1 to 5 as being the healthiest, many others are also healthy. Those ranked lowest need to feel bad since the report polled a sampling of people from each state. It is no coincidence that people who reported they were content with their jobs smoked less, had lower risks of heart disease and diabetes. People who are not content in their jobs will smoke more, eat more and be less inclined to exercise. While this is not surprising, the statistics for how people rate their lives is: 53 percent they felt they were thriving, 43 percent said they were struggling and 3 and half percent they were suffering. What constitutes “thriving” was not mentioned. Onward to more fun health news.
Kids: The Tooth Fairy Adjusts for Inflation
The tooth fairy has adjusted his or her rewards left under bed pillows for inflation. It seems that in 2012, he or she paid a whopping $3.49 for the first tooth lost and on average, subsequent teeth lost cost the mythical one $2.49. A long time ago, the writer got a quarter for the big front teeth, ten cents per molar and a nickel for the rest. Times have change. Inflation is risen. Today is National Tooth Fairy Day. Maybe somebody bought him or her a winning Powerball ticket.
Seniors: Are You Happy with Your Medical Coverage?
We know that medical insurers can be a real nuisance to work with. Sometimes it takes an incredible amount of calling on the phone to get the answer to one question. A recent survey found that 94 percent were happy with the quality of the care, 90 percent are happy with the benefits and 81 percent are happy with their out-of-pocket expenses. This is pretty good news even when there are health care cuts soon to be felt across the country.
Now They Tell Me!
Today’s Nintendo lovers can tell their parents that playing the game all day and night long leads to better surgical skills later in life. There. Told you. A recent study learned that surgical students who used a Wii controller had far better skills across 16 different skill sets than those who did not. Researchers noted that Laparoscopic simulators are expensive and hard to get for students, while video games, consoles and controllers are less expensive and readily available. Any game which comes with 3D graphics and requires extensive hand-eye coordination is good for the future surgeons of America. I wonder if the joysticks I used years ago are as good as a Wii controller?
Blame It on the Roomba
The more technology we have to do housework, the more sedentary we become and therefore the more overweight we become. Well, it is true to some degree. We do have more technology in the home which allows women who do housework to have an easier time of it. Think of the Roomba, and dishwashers that just about do everything except put them away when done (and why don’t they do that) and laundry systems which allows us to clean and dry clothes in less time. All of this leads us to relax and not get any exercise. It is true that we do not have as hard a time housecleaning as those in the 1960’s and 70’s. Many working women have weekly cleaning ladies or housekeepers. Those who do not have this luxury can still flip the switch on a Roomba and then lay down to watch TV as it vacuums the carpet. What is so bad about that?
