Hockey Players; Public Health

The one thing I like about hockey players is how well-behaved they are compared to the other major sports. It becomes apparent especially when compared to the other big North American sports. Hockey players show up to work looking sharp like soccer players in suits.

You hear very little - if any - of hockey players killing people, domestic abuse, carrying weapons, drugs, or DUI's resulting in deaths (Heatley notwithstanding). Heck, athletes in other sports sometimes come off looking like donwright thugs.

Hockey players do get into trouble, don't get me wrong. The Habs of the 70s and 80s were a rather untame bunch on the streets of Montreal but nothing beyond the odd fight. I'm sure the Broadstreet Bullies got into some trouble in Philly back in the day.

Compared to basketball and football players (and to a lesser extent baseball players), hockey players (who are hands down the toughest athletes around. If you played the game you know what I mean), are a decent bunch of guys. I think it's a testament to their upbringing.

Just look at its recent superstars: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and now Sidney Crosby. You're not likely to find a Tiger Woods story out of a hockey player. And before them Bobby Hull, Bobby Orr, Jean Beliveau, Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard.

I like that about the sport. Rich in history and values.

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From time to time someone will be tempted to compare Canadian and American health. For example, in extolling the virtue of public health (no one can jump the queue my ass), an American supporter of public health will cite Canada's better infant mortality rates and life expectancy at a lower cost.

I think that's a little unfair. For starters, on per capita basis expenditures in Canada are rapidly increasing. By most estimates I've seen (I'm going with the OECD here), we pay more on a per capita basis and get less than any other country. We're second in costs to the U.S. and the gap is not that great. Something like $5000 for the U.S. and $4000 for Canada.

Second, two entirely different systems and mentalities. You can't just do "single payer" or "universal" Canadian style because America as a different Federal hook up than we have. Even though the U.S. seems to have an equivalent in HMC's and Medicare/Aid.

Last, one coutnry has 310 million people. The other has 30 million. Canada is the size of a U.S. state. I would love to see how our system would do if we had, say, 150 million people. I'm almost certain our said advantages would narrow substantially. We don't necessarily eat better or exercise more than Americans and we certianly don't lead in medical innovation. Our system is barely able to service 30 million as it is and our equipment is mostly imported from the United States.