U.K. reality star and tabloid darling Jade Goody died in her sleep early yesterday morning. The 27 year old leaves behind a disabled mother and two young boys. The U.S. gossip blogs find it difficult to be respectful and mournful when Goody mostly existed as cartoonish comment on lower class existence in England. Her malaprops (e.g., escape goat), a crippled mother, a dead mixed raced father who served time for robbery, two out of wedlock sons with another reality star, her general ignorance of basic geography and accusations of racism against Indians did not bring out the best in fans.
That laundry list of class markers is the least interesting aspect of Goody's life and death? How does someone that young succumb to cervical cancer? Apparently by relying on that great equalizer, socialized medicine.
Cervical cancer is easy to detect and treat. Unless of course your medical regimen is determined by England's National Health Service. The NHS using medical data which was cutting edge in 1895 sets the minimum age for cervical smears at 25. By comparison many young American girls start receiving gynecological check ups shortly after menarche and continue to do so throughout their lives.
According to Chris Green of The Independent, "The minimum age for testing in England was set at 20 until 2004. Regular tests still start at the age of 20 in Wales and Scotland. The NHS says testing women under 25 would result in many unnecessarily having invasive checks which can increase the risk of premature births."
Can increase the risk of premature birth? What about premature death?
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