Cost Effects of Spinal Cord Injury

Based on my own research on the central nervous system/spinal cord from numerous books and documentaries I see a need for a major breakthrough. There has been little progress in the field. Before World War II patients didn't survive for long they would typically die from pneumonia. Years later we still haven't been able to give people the ability to walk again all that medicine can offer is rehabilitation and an average life span.

Based on February 2011 figures more than 12,000 people are disabled by traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in the U.S each year. The financial cost of such injuries can be devastating and unbearable not only for the patient but for the family as well. Injury to the cervical vertebrae C1-C3 will cause paralysis to the arms,trunk, hands and legs. This type of injury will surely require 24-hour-a-day care.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/public_content/pdf/Facts%202011%20Feb%20Final.pdf

Injuries to the cervical vertebrae (C1 - C4) will cost $985,774 the first year and $171,183 each subsequent year till death.  Injuries to (C5 - C8) average at $712,308 the first year and $105,013 each following year. That includes yearly healthcare and living expenses but does not include losses in wages,benefits and productivity which were estimated to be about $66,600 per year in December 2010.

About 80% of spinal cord injuries reported are male patient cases.  Motor vehicle accidents, falls and gun shot wounds are the national leading causes of spinal cord injury.  This is true for both male and female.  Although men outweigh women in the number of spinal cord injury cases, there are percentage differences between the sexes. Women have a higher rate 4.8% of SCI due to medical/surgical complications than men 2.0%.  Percentage wise women are also more likely to develop SCI from a vehicular accident compared to men. 

Here is a link of research being done in the field the title of the documentary is "Mapping Stem Cell Research Terra Incognita" http://www.hulu.com/watch/53868/pbs-indies-mapping-stem-cell-research-terra-incognita

Below you will find a clip from The Institute of Spinal Cord Injury

Previews

As a business school graduate and a healthcare employee I will write blogs to share my experiences and hopefully help out others.  I have acquired my skills while working in peri operative services, grants, finance, school of medicine, research, business competitions, stock trading, currency trading, options/derivative trading, physical fitness and Wall Street.

Here are the topics for next up and coming blogs in no particular order:

Changes in Medicine

Medicaid

Medicare

Trading Stocks

Trading Currencies

Retirement

Investing for the Future

Real Estate

Time

Contemporary Art Economics

Spinal Cord Injury and its Financial Impact

The Correlation between Good Looks and Salary

Landing a Job

Although the recession may be technically over it seems jobs are still hard to get.  With our unemployment rate at 9.1% http://www.bls.gov/ it is a competitive world out there.  It is good to keep a positive and hopeful mentality.  Whether you have just graduated from college, been layed off or part of the hard core unemployed, I believe that jobs are still available to those who are persistent and well prepared.  I would recommend to seek your dream job even if we are in a tough economic situation.

Start interviewing right away.  As is true of all things practice makes perfect.  If you have your eye on a certain job at a particular company then do interviews with your 2nd and 3rd choice first.  The reason is that most likely your first interviews may not go as smooth as you would like.  After going up to bat a few times you will feel a bit more comfortable and confident.  This will help your chances of making a stronger impression with the company on the top of your list.

If you are looking to change industries then you may want to volunteer.  This will give you the opportunity to test the waters and see if this is something you will want to do full time.
I once volunteered at a library and it opened up my desire to read heavily.  Helping out is always a win win situation even if it doesnt lead to a job.  Connecting with people is probably the best way to get a job.  Employers like to take in people who are recommended by friends or employees.  It offers some type of insurance to them.

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

Do research on the company

Reach out to people/get a mentor

Prepare answers to common questions for the interview

Prepare questions for the interview that show you did your research

Make good eye contact with interviewers

Give a firm handshake

If interviewer is female don't shake her hand any stronger than she does

Bring a few copies of your resume

Send thank you notes after the interview

Get to the interview 15 minutes ahead of time no more no less

Don't hold back sell yourself !!!