Indicium Brevis X

So, What Did Elvis Do?– Elvis probably contributed to the single largest, short-term cost savings in American healthcare history on Oct. 28, 1956.  Why?  He went on national television (ABC, CBS, and NBC) and had his polio immunization done by Jonas Salk, MD!!  The U.S. immunization rate went from 0.5 percent to 83 percent in the space of six months following Elvis’ historic immunization.  It is estimated that we saved $40B in the ensuing couple of years because polio was wiped out as a problem in America.  And, more importantly, his public immunization changed the perspective of Americans on the use of vaccines, which have become a ubiquitous tool in the fight against infectious diseases.  

Obesity Gets Worse– Christina Bethell of the Oregon Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative released a study reporting that the national prevalence of obesity among U.S. children ages 10-17 has grown significantly, from 14.8 percent in 2003 to 16.4 percent in 2007.  This is a trend that is going in the wrong direction…

The Budget Deficit– According to U.S. Treasury figures released last week, the government ran up the largest monthly deficit in US history during February. The federal deficit totaled $220.9 billion, a level 14 percent higher than the previous record set last year.  Less than five months into the government’s fiscal year – which started in October – the nation has amassed an additional $651.6 billion on top of the pre-existing deficit or 10.5 percent more than last year’s level.  The ballooning deficit comes from the staggering investment by the government in an effort to reverse the sagging economy from the worst recession in history.  But, many are wondering just how much more overspending we can withstand, and when will things reverse course and the economy gets back on track?

Speaking of Debt– Spain’s debt-to-GDP ratio is only 54 percent whereas Greece is well above 100 percent.  Studies show that debt becomes a significant drag on growth in developed countries only when it reaches something like 90 percent of GDP.  So, any economic recovery in Spain is likely to be more robust and quicker than in Greece.  I’ll give a report next week.  I’m on my way to Barcelona for a European Union information technology conference.  By the way, it seems that the Greek bailout plan has been finalized by the EU.

China’s Internet Market– In a report by Reuters, China has become the world’s largest Internet market. With more people online than any other nation, nearly half of the country’s Web users – roughly 384 million people – are accessing the Internet through a mobile device.  And, the number of mobile users is expected to double in five years – a testament to China’s economic strength as an evolving world superpower.

Kevin Fickenscher, MD

The views and opinions expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Dell Services or its affiliates.