Hazardous Health

Only shadows ahead
Barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and relief
--Crowded House

Observation that the best health insurance is behavior that maintains and improves physical fitness. Working out, eating well, rest and lifestyle.

Why don't more people practice such preventive policy?

A primary reason is moral hazard. In 19th century England, insurance firms observed that people tended to engage in riskier behavior once they took out insurance policies. The rationale is that I will take more risk if I figure someone will bail me out if things go wrong. Insured behavior therefore creates a 'moral hazard' because I am willing to 'put' the consequences of my risky behavior onto others.

Moral hazard increases when a person is not on the hook for paying insurance premiums or deductibles.

In a socialized medicine scenario where some pay for the health care of others, then moral hazard is exacerbated as risky health practices are being subsidized.

As socialized medicine increases its hold on the US, it should come as no surprise that general health profiles of US citizens are deteriorating. The subsidy for unhealthy behavior has been increasing.