Questions about a medical study
OK, read the summary from this link because I have questions about their conclusions.
Not in the study is the fact that 7.8% of Americans have diabetes, while only 3% of the French population. So these numbers (109 deaths per 100,000 for the us, 67 per 100k for Frenchies), leaves me with a question.
First, I believe it is important to notice that this is per 100,000 people, not per 100,000 people with these diseases.
If a higher percentage of Americans suffer from these diseases (I'm assuming all the other diseases mentioned follow the pattern of diabetes, but maybe not to the same degree), then it follows rationally that a higher number of people should die from them, correct?
Ok, if all the numbers follow suite with Diabetes, and 7800 people out of every 100k have one of these conditions, thent only 109 a year from that 7800 die,(in reality it's a higher number than 7800 but for ease I'm just using diabetic numbers).
Now, in France, they've got 3000 people outof every 100k that have diabetes, with 67 out of that 300 dying (same rules as above).
So, correct me if I'm wrong please, about 1.4% of people with diabetes in the US die compared to 2.2% of the French. Right?
So, shouldn't the conclusion be drawn that it's better to have diabetes in the US than in France? Or rather that the causes of these diseases should be addressed, and not that the US needs to adopt european systems? Shouldn't the french want to adopt our system? I mean, wouldn't our system save another 25 people per 100k per year?
Can anyone see this?
Please correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm really not getting this.
1 comment:
I think the point they are trying to get across is that while people in the US with diabetes may have higher survival rates because of effective treatments, the lifestyle of the French prevents them from developing the disease at the same rate we do. If being treated, yes you want to be where treatment is effective. But the best option is not to develope the disease and the French seem to have that more under control. Clear as mud?
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