HOME >> MEDICINE >> NEWS
'Value to the system' determined healthcare for communist East Germany's elderly

Under the communist regime in East Germany, elderly patients' healthcare depended on whether they could contribute to the workforce, says a letter in this week's BMJ.

While those working and therefore judged "valuable to the system" could access medical treatment when needed, retired patients were considered a "drain on the public purse" says Dr Herbert Nehrlich, an East German doctor now living in Australia.

X-rays and other diagnostic tests were denied people of a certain age, and retired East Germans were not hindered from travelling to the West, or staying there, he adds.

Conversely East German workers benefited from programmes to maintain and improve fitness including subsidies for sports, and breaks during the working day for sporting activities.

Health inequalities between East and West Germany should be ironed out over time, says Dr Nehrlich, although higher drinking levels in the East were "not discouraged under the communist regime" and remain a problem for those living there now.


'"/>

Contact: Emma Dickinson
edickinson@bmj.com
44-207-383-6529
BMJ-British Medical Journal
21-Jul-2005


Page: 1

Related medicine news :

1. Mayo Clinic study shows drug-eluting stent use in heart patients determined more by insurance type
2. Gender and age can be determined from face silhouettes
3. Will the healthcare workers go to work during disasters?
4. Major employers, physicians, stakeholders unite to revolutionize Americas healthcare system
5. Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health Symposium features national healthcare leaders
6. Leading healthcare authorities to address safety and effectiveness
7. Study finds healthcare usage significantly altered after September 11 attacks
8. Telemedicine solutions to optimise healthcare
9. Reconstructing a healthcare system in Iraq
10. Conference to focus on healthcare systems response to disasters and overloads
11. Putting healthcare dollars into the right prevention services

Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/22/2013)... (PRWEB) May 22, 2013 Successful ... by Patricia O’Laughlin Psychotherapy in the Silver Lake ... of all ages as progression to existing Parents ... all ages into parenting therapy has always been ... Patricia O’Laughlin Psychotherapy now specializes in all aspects ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... May 22, 2013 Bodybuilding.com is ... Day (May 27, 2013) Bodybuilding.com will be donating $1 from ... amount. , “We are extremely grateful for the men ... Forces,” said Ryan DeLuca, CEO and founder of Bodybuilding.com. “It’s ... have sacrificed so much. Hire Heroes USA is an amazing ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... 2013 According to a May 14, 2013 ... Options for Breast Cancer Surgery,” modern medical technology has given ... this disease in a whole new light. Since the new ... face breast cancer and mastectomies with greater hope ... the introduction of plastic surgery to oncology, women had little ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Today, Zane Benefits, Inc. published a new ... Zane Benefits, which provides comprehensive and flexible alternatives to ... defined contribution plans and health reimbursement ... in 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act ... will become available through new state health insurance exchanges. ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Researchers in genomic health disparities from the University of ... School of Medicine have teamed up to hold the ... Health Disparities in Genomic Medicine." The theme of ... business and government to reduce these disparities. , Despite ... States, individuals within underserved groups continue to be more ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Patricia O’Laughlin Psychotherapy of Los Angeles Now Seeing Adults, Teens and Young Children 2Health News:In the Spirit of Memorial Day, Bodybuilding.com is Donating a Portion of Their Sales to Hire Heroes 2Health News:Breast Augmentation – New Option for Breast Cancer Surgeries 2Health News:Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on Alabama Health Insurance Exchange 2Health News:Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on Alabama Health Insurance Exchange 3Health News:Why We Can't Wait: Conference to Eliminate Health Disparities in Genomic Medicine 2
(Date:5/22/2013)... CAESAREA, Israel , May 22, 2013 ... clinical data presented from the DEFLECT-I study demonstrates that ... brain lesion volume during TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) ... Heart Scientific Advisory Board announces consensus on the importance ... the importance and need for cerebral protection during cardiovascular ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... SEATTLE , May 22, 2013  Milliman, Inc., ... the results of its 2013 Milliman Medical Index (MMI), ... family of four receiving healthcare benefits through an employer-sponsored ... for this typical family in 2013 is $22,030. ... over the prior year on a percentage basis was ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... 2013 Pomerantz Grossman Hufford Dahlstrom ... behalf of investors of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. ("Intuitive Surgical" ... 46120E602) who purchased Intuitive Surgical common stock between October ... Such investors are advised to contact Robert ... 888-476-6529, ext. 237. The investigation concerns whether ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:New Clinical Data Presented at EuroPCR Demonstrates that TriGuard Reduces Brain Lesion Volume during TAVR 2New Clinical Data Presented at EuroPCR Demonstrates that TriGuard Reduces Brain Lesion Volume during TAVR 3New Clinical Data Presented at EuroPCR Demonstrates that TriGuard Reduces Brain Lesion Volume during TAVR 4Annual Healthcare Cost for a Typical American Family is $22,030 According to 2013 Milliman Medical Index 2SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Investors of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. - ISRG 2
Cached News: