The U.S. spends $5 trillion yearly on healthcare but has worsening maternal and infant mortality rates. The problem stems largely from metabolic disease and obesity, which drive preterm labor, preeclampsia, and higher C-section rates.
It's fascinating to me that we're so advanced medically in the United States. We definitely don't have a spending problem. We spend $5 trillion a year on healthcare in general, but in the civilized world, we rank among the highest in maternal mortality and infant mortality. What do you attribute that to?
I think a major risk factor that we see is the demographics and the metabolic diseases that we have, and the pandemic of obesity, which is probably a final sign of inflammatory disease and insulin resistance, plays a major role. And that will your risk of preterm labor because of preeclampsia and other complications. C section rates are higher because of obesity. So I think there are multiple factors, but I think it all leads to the unhealthy lifestyle. The diet plays a huge role in.
This huge role. I mean, you have to play with the hand that you're dealt. I mean, when the patient shows up, you don't have a choice over what lifestyle choices they've made to that point. So you're inheriting whatever risk pattern they've developed for themselves.