A new report shows that the United States, despite spending more on health care than other wealthy countries, has poorer health outcomes. Americans, the report says, tend to be sicker, live shorter lives, and often cannot afford basic medical care.
The study looked at nine other high-income countries. Among them, the US ranked the lowest in terms of life expectancy and rates of illness and death. This report was released by The Commonwealth Fund, a research organization.
The report highlighted Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom as the best-performing countries in health care.
Dr. Joseph Betancourt, president of The Commonwealth Fund, stated in a news briefing that the US health system continues to fall short in meeting basic needs. “We spend the most and get the least” in return, Dr. Betancourt emphasized.
Impact of insurance and affordability of medication
Betancourt, who is also a primary care doctor, spoke about the daily struggles he witnesses in the health care system. He shared how many of his patients can’t afford necessary medications and how he often deals with insurance companies denying critical care. Betancourt also noted that many older patients come in sicker than they should be after having spent much of their lives without insurance.
The new 2024 @commonwealthfnd Country Health System Rankings out today.
Among 10 high-income countries, US ranks dead last (again).
Rankings based on 70 measures in 5 areas:
1. Access
2. Care process
3. Administrative efficiency
4. Equity
5. Outcomes pic.twitter.com/J3R3x8jRAF— Jose Figueroa, MD, MPH (@joefigs2) September 19, 2024
He emphasized that the report offers important lessons the US can learn from other countries. “It provides a blueprint for health leaders and policymakers on how the US can achieve more equitable, affordable care for all Americans.”
Researchers from The Commonwealth Fund compared the health care systems of ten countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United States.
They looked at 70 different factors in five key areas: accessibility, quality, efficiency, equality, and outcomes of health care. The data stems from multiple sources including the World Health Organization, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and surveys done by The Commonwealth Fund.
Countries with top to lowest health system rankings
The top countries in overall health system rankings were:
1. Australia
2. The Netherlands
3. The United Kingdom
4. New Zealand
5. France
On the other hand, the countries with the lowest rankings were:
6. Sweden
7. Canada
8. Switzerland
9. Germany
10. The United States
Researchers found that the United States faces the most critical challenges in accessing health care. Among the 10 countries studied, it ranked last in terms of how easy it is for people to get medical help and afford it.
The report highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the US saw the highest number of additional deaths in people under 75.
