Assignment Details: Compare A Developed Country With O

Assignment Detailsyou Can Compare A Developed Country With One Still D

You can compare a developed country with one still developing by asking, “What is it like to live there as compared to here?” This comparison can be based on actual experience, such as living in or visiting both kinds of countries, or through reading about conditions in different countries or watching videos about development issues. Organizations like the United Nations (UN), the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) measure differences among countries using parameters such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), education, literacy rates, healthcare, and life expectancy.

Standards of living, level of industrialization, and the quality and range of infrastructure are also considered. The UN measures gender inequality through its Human Development Index. Using these parameters and the Demographic Transition Model (DTM), developed countries are classified in Phase 4, whereas developing countries are in Phases 2 and 3. Based on your understanding of living conditions and the DTM, respond to the following: From a provided list, choose one living condition—such as access to clean water, education, adequate housing, healthcare, sanitation, life expectancy, or levels of industrialization—and compare that condition between a developed country, like the United States, and a developing country of your choice. Additionally, provide an example of how both developed and developing countries utilize natural resources and discuss the environmental impacts of these practices.

Paper For Above instruction

Global disparities in living conditions between developed and developing countries are profound, impacting health, longevity, and overall quality of life. This essay focuses on healthcare, specifically access to healthcare services, as a critical indicator of development status. It compares the United States, a developed country, with Nigeria, a representative developing country, highlighting differences in healthcare systems, resource utilization, and environmental implications.

Healthcare Access in the United States vs. Nigeria

The United States boasts one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world, characterized by sophisticated medical technology, extensive healthcare infrastructure, and high expenditure per capita. According to the World Bank, U.S. healthcare expenditure in 2019 was approximately 17.7% of its GDP, reflecting a significant investment aimed at maintaining high standards of care. Americans generally have access to a wide network of hospitals, clinics, and specialists, which contribute to high life expectancy rates—around 78.9 years globally, as reported by the WHO.

In contrast, Nigeria faces considerable challenges in healthcare delivery. Its health system struggles with inadequate infrastructure, limited healthcare funding, and shortages of trained health professionals. Despite progress, Nigeria's health expenditure remains low, around 3.9% of GDP (World Bank, 2019). Access to healthcare is often limited, especially in rural areas, leading to higher mortality rates and lower life expectancy, approximately 54 years. These disparities underscore the stark differences in living conditions dependent on a country's development status.

Natural Resource Use and Environmental Impacts

Both developed and developing countries utilize natural resources, but their methods and environmental consequences differ. The United States extracts vast quantities of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—supporting its energy needs and industrial activities. While this resource utilization fuels economic growth and provides energy security, it also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change (EIA, 2020). The U.S. adopts advanced technologies for resource extraction, but concerns over environmental degradation and pollution persist.

In Nigeria, natural resources such as oil play a central role in the economy. Oil extraction in the Niger Delta has resulted in severe environmental issues, including deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation, affecting local communities' health and livelihoods (Oppenheim et al., 2018). Nigeria's reliance on oil revenue has often prioritized economic gains over sustainable practices, exacerbating environmental degradation and health problems related to pollution.

Conclusion

Understanding how healthcare access and natural resource utilization differ between developed and developing countries illuminates broader issues of inequality and sustainability. While developed nations benefit from advanced medical systems and technological innovations, their environmental impacts pose significant challenges. Conversely, developing countries like Nigeria face infrastructural deficits and environmental crises that hinder progress but also highlight opportunities for sustainable development. Addressing these disparities requires integrated approaches that promote health equity and environmentally responsible resource management.

References

• EIA. (2020). United States Energy Information Administration. U.S. Energy Data & Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.eia.gov
• Oppenheim, J., Adow, A., & Nelson, A. (2018). Oil, environment, and social conflict in Nigeria: A case of environmental degradation. Journal of Environmental Management, 215, 145-154.
• World Bank. (2019). World Development Indicators. Health expenditure, % of GDP. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org
• World Health Organization. (2020). World Health Statistics 2020. Geneva: WHO Press.
• United Nations Development Programme. (2021). Human Development Report 2021.
• United Nations. (2020). The Human Development Index (HDI). Retrieved from https://hdr.undp.org/en/indicators/137506
• Center for International Development. (2019). Comparing health systems: U.S. and Nigeria. Harvard University.
• International Monetary Fund. (2020). World Economic Outlook. IMF Reports.
• United Nations Environment Programme. (2019). Global Environment Outlook. UNEP.
• Amnesty International. (2021). Nigeria: Oil pollution and health impacts. AI Reports.