When the land of bangers and mash goes head to head with the home of cheeseburgers and fries, there’s plenty of fat and calories to go around for everyone. So why did Brits fare so much better than Americans in a recent health study? According to researchers, older Brits are healthier overall than older Americans regardless of socioeconomic status, and despite the fact that Americans spend more than twice as much on health care per person as their counterparts in the UK. That was a shocker until I discussed it with Bernie Siegel, MD, a distinguished pioneer in mind-body medicine and author of the best-selling <http://link.dhn.bottomlinesecrets.com/h/S1PX/IQIO/N9/DZ3SB> Love, Medicine
and Miracles (Harper).

He told me there are many reasons for this disparity, from longer vacations, shorter workdays and less stress in the UK, to a depersonalized system of American health care that puts the emphasis on diseases rather than individuals.
ABOUT THE STUDY
Researchers looked at the health of 9,300 Brits and 6,400 Americans aged 40 to 70. Because specific health challenges exist in the black and Latino communities, the study included only non-Hispanic whites in both countries. To ensure accuracy, specific biological markers of disease (such as cholesterol and C-reactive protein levels) were taken into account, as well as self-reported illnesses.
Researchers discovered that…
*         The middle-aged American population is less healthy than their
British counterparts overall, with a higher instance of diabetes (12.5% versus 6.1%)… high blood pressure (42.4% versus 33.8%)… heart disease (15.1% versus 9.6%)… heart attack (5.5% versus 4%)… stroke (3.8% versus 2.3%)… lung disease (8.1% versus 6.3%)… and risk for cancer (9.5% versus 5.5%).
*         This holds true at all socioeconomic levels and, to make matters worse, in many cases the top of the heap in the US is unhealthier than the poorest Brits. For example, 12% of the highest bracket Americans experience heart disease, in comparison to 11.6% of the lowest bracket Brits.  This research was published in the May 3, 2006 edition of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
WHERE ARE AMERICANS GOING WRONG?
Dr. Siegel speculated on the reasons for this gaping disparity in our health, and offered a number of possible solutions… Problem: The American health-care model focuses too much on high-tech procedures and pricy pharmaceuticals to cure disease, and too little on
inexpensive, low-tech approaches to keep us well. For instance, because there is no money in conducting clinical trials to prove that a botanical medicine works safely and effectively, pharmaceutical companies aren’t about to do the research — and without some sort of official stamp of approval, conventional practitioners in the US tend to look down on natural healing alternatives. In contrast, Europeans are more open minded. Even
conventional, mainstream British physicians trained much better in unconventional or traditional medicines, are likely to prescribe a botanical or homeopathic medicine or recommend a natural modality such as acupuncture or therapeutic massage.
Solution: Dr. Siegel suggests that the US government give pharmaceutical companies a reason to get involved with testing natural alternatives such as botanical medicines. For example, they could be offered incentives such as short-term tax breaks or limited exclusive patents. In the meantime, individuals can embrace their own economical, low-tech approach to health by making positive lifestyle choices about diet, exercise and overall attitude toward life, while reducing the stress of high pharmaceutical bills — as
well as compelling their MD to involve an ND in their health-care team.
Problem: Americans live in a more stressful society, with longer working hours and fewer vacation days than Brits. Stress creates a cascade of negative effects on the body, from raising blood pressure to encouraging inflammation to lowering immunity.
Solution: Change your perspective. While not everyone can take longer vacations, we can all take a deep breath, slow down and get more in touch with ourselves, our families and our communities, advises Dr. Siegel. He warns that too many people wait until they get sick to realize what’s really important in life. In the long run, it’s not about how many hours you spend at the office, but how much time you spend with your kids telling them you love them and talking about their futures.
Problem: Brits tend to walk, bicycle and use more public transportation than Americans. Regular exercise is beneficial in so many ways, notes Dr. Siegel. Physically, it keeps your heart healthy, your muscles toned, your bones strong and your weight in line. Mentally, it’s an excellent way to keep a lid on stress.
Solution: Get moving. Dr. Siegel told me that one of the most striking differences between European and American cities is how many people take their bikes rather than cars to work in Europe. Whenever possible, leave your own car in the garage, and instead put on your walking shoes or climb on your bike.
Problem: Brits enjoy a universal health-care system, which is free for everyone, and focuses more on prevention than does conventional medical care in the US.
Solution: While our bloated, inefficient health-care system seems impervious to change, we can still change how we operate in it as individuals. To that end, Dr. Siegel recommends seeking out and developing a relationship with a health-care practitioner who sees you as an individual rather than a set of symptoms. Perhaps develop a health-care team that includes both an MD and a naturopathic physician. Additionally, he urges people to shift their focus from illness to prevention and wellness — integrating mind, body and spirit to achieve optimal health. This means eating well and getting regular rest and exercise, of course, but Dr. Siegel stresses that it’s equally important to nurture your relationships, your family and your religion. Making and maintaining these connections is essential to good health. In the long run, it doesn’t matter what continent you live on, says Dr. Siegel. We all have the tools to take charge of our health and live life fully every day. 

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