Health Crisis: Alarming Trends in Public Health

The U.S. is facing a severe health crisis marked by rising rates of chronic illness, obesity, and mental health struggles, despite having the most expensive healthcare system in the world. A report by the Commonwealth Fund ranks the U.S. last among six other industrialized countries on measures of quality, efficiency, access to care, and equity. Life expectancy in the U.S. has been declining for the most sustained period since 1860. As your State Senator, Dashe is dedicated to addressing these alarming trends through comprehensive, preventative health policies.

Expanding Access to Preventative Care: Six out of ten adults are living with a chronic illness, and nearly 75% of adults are overweight or obese. Dashe will focus on improving access to preventative healthcare to address these issues at the root. This includes increasing funding for nutrition programs, promoting physical activity, and integrating health education into schools and communities to combat the rise in lifestyle-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. More than 75% of deaths and 80% of healthcare costs are driven by PREVENTABLE and REVERSIBLE metabolic conditions.*

Supporting Youth Health: The youth of Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable. Close to 30% of teens are prediabetic, 40% are overweight or obese, and 18% suffer from fatty liver disease.* Dashe believes in focusing on early intervention by advocating for healthier food options in schools, more physical activity, and stronger mental health services. The rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s, largely driven by processed foods, refined sugars, and sedentary behavior.*

Tackling the Mental Health Crisis: Mental health is another critical issue that demands action. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for young adults aged 10 to 34, and 25% of young adults contemplated suicide in 2020, according to the CDC. Additionally, over 19% of adult women take antidepressants, while up to 26% experience polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of female infertility.* Dashe is committed to expanding access to mental health care, reducing stigma, and promoting early intervention strategies to address this growing crisis.

Addressing the Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods: Ultra-processed foods, which make up nearly 70% of the calories consumed in the U.S., are contributing significantly to the rising rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.* Dashe will advocate for policies that promote whole foods and discourage the consumption of chemically engineered, addictive foods that are damaging public health.

Key Points:

• Focus on preventative healthcare to combat rising chronic illnesses and obesity, responsible for 80% of healthcare costs and 75% of deaths.*

• Promote early intervention and healthier food options in schools to address the youth obesity epidemic, with nearly 30% of teens already prediabetic.*

• Expand mental health resources to address the growing mental health crisis, with suicide now the second leading cause of death for young adults.*

• Advocate for policies that reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods, a major contributor to rising rates of preventable diseases and declining life expectancy.
  
  Means, C., & Means, C. (2024). Good energy: The surprising connection between metabolism and limitless health. Penguin Random House.*