And the Winner Is: The US (Unless we Change)

The Nobel committee awarded the 2009 prize in Medicine to three scientists who did their research in the US. Two of the three are immigrants to the US.

The more Nobel prizes in Medicine that are awarded in a country, the more that country contributes to the health of the world. So, I looked into that. Is there any country that seems to be the home of more winners than others? Is there one that stands out as having an environment where research thrives and where important results are obtained more often than any other place? If so, we should do all we can to make sure that the essential characteristics of that place continue to nurture this vital research.

The Nobel prize in Medicine has been awarded since 1901. No one from the US won the award until 1933. Between 1933 and today someone from the US won or shared in the prize in 51 of the 74 years (not awarded in 1940 - 1942). Three out of every four years for almost 75 years, someone from the US has won the Nobel prize for Medicine!

Let's take a look at the time period from 1947 to today. Why 1947? That's when the UK adopted socialized medicine. From 1947 through 2009, the Nobel prize in Medicine was awarded to 145 individuals. Researchers from the US received 83 of the 145 awards. The next closest country received 18. Third place has 8. In the 63 years of awards since 1947, scientists from the US have received awards in 46 of those years.

The US is unique in the world. No other country is even close. Don't you think we should make sure that we know what the source of that magic is before we try to change radically the entire health care industry by introducing new bureaucracies, mandates, taxes, fees, and insurance rule changes?