Sick Around the World

Additional Resources

A Note about Internet Resources
Students should be aware that Web sites sometimes present only one view of an issue. Encourage students to think about Web sites even as they are reading, asking themselves: What did you learn from this site? What didn't you learn from this site? Who sponsors this site? What bias might the sponsor have? How current is the site?

FRONTLINE: Sick Around the World
The companion Web site to the documentary features extended interviews, on-demand video streaming of the full program, themes and analysis and annotated links. Students might be interested in the articles from think tanks and those opposed to universal coverage http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/etc/links.html#3

U.S. Census Bureau Health Insurance Coverage Highlights
This one-page document gives statistics for the percentage and numbers of people covered by health insurance in the United States in 2006.

"Health Care Horror Stories"
This editorial by New York Times columnist Paul Krugman includes anecdotes about the effects in America of denying health care to people who cannot pay for it.

"Voodoo Health Economics"
"Elizabeth Edwards has cancer. John McCain has had cancer in the past. Last weekend, Mrs. Edwards bluntly pointed out that neither of them would be able to get insurance under Mr. McCain's health care plan."

"The Short End of a Longer Life"
Kevin Sack writes: "A pair of reports out this month affirm that the rising tide of American health is not lifting all boats, and that there are widening gaps in life expectancy based on the interwoven variables of income, race, sex, education and geography."