Research Prospectus

While I am still kind of torn between three different topics for my research paper, at this point in time I am leaning towards writing about the healthcare system. More specifically, how much does the healthcare system really want us to become a healthier America?

We as Americans are constantly bombarded with facts about how fat our nation is, surrounded by healthier options at the supermarket, restaurants, commercials, and even pop-ups on the internet. We get the point, we are unhealthy and we need to change. So we make these changes, we start to exercise regularly, we eat healthier, we take care of ourselves. Then what happens? Obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, heart disease, the occurrence all of these diseases slowly starts to fall. Where would that put our healthcare providers? The healthcare industry accounted for 16% of the gross domestic product in the United States in 2008, the largest percentage in the world, and provides Americans with over thirty-five million jobs. That is an incredible number, a number bound to go down if America gets healthier. The healthier our nation becomes, the less need we will have for nurses, doctors, therapists, and the like, so those jobs will be cut back. If people are not getting sick, not suffering from these obesity-related diseases, less money will undoubtedly be spent on healthcare. Less jobs? Less money? Who thinks healthcare providers want that? If anything, I would say that they want to prevent that. When researching this topic I am going to have to come up with some solid evidence. Preliminary research has provided me with some information on the link between the rise in obesity and its related diseases, healthcare expenditure, and the increase in the healthcare workforce, which includes lawyers, administrators, and stockholders. If these healthcare businesses really wanted to make a difference, if they really cared about our health, they would do something about it. They have the resources: lobbying power, connections, and money. The healthcare industry is worth billions upon billions of dollars, and they have enough sway to the point where if they wanted something to be done, they could get it done. In 2008, the healthcare industry spent $480 million to lobby the federal government on healthcare policy. Why isn’t this money invested in organic farming, into placing gyms in businesses, or into forcing fast food to be healthier, into preventative measures? These are points that more of my research needs to be done on. How exactly can the industry use its money? Can the money even go towards these issues? I know these businesses have to make money somehow, but if the name of the industry is healthcare, then put your money where your mouth is and show that you care about our health.

                Again, I haven’t gotten too far into the process on this topic, maybe it’s not in the industry’s power to do some of the things mentioned above. But if they can, I’m going to find out.