Comparative Health Systems Paper In This Assignment You Will

Comparative Health Systems Paperin This Assignment You Will Demonstra

Compare and contrast how the 1) health care, 2) public health and 3) regulatory systems of the United States and another country responded to the pandemic. Address each system separately. Please start each section with a concise discussion of the health care, public health and regulatory systems as they are supposed to work in ‘normal’ times.

Next describe at least 2 changes the country made for each of the 3 systems in response to the pandemic. Then proceed to compare and contrast how each of these systems responded to the pandemic in the two countries using the data you found. Which country did a better job and why? Back up this section with country wide data rather than any particular state/city/province or other jurisdiction. Please provide references that back up your findings.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged health systems worldwide, revealing vulnerabilities and prompting rapid adaptations. Comparing the United States with another country provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of different health, public health, and regulatory responses during such crises. This paper examines the structure, function, and pandemic response modifications in the United States and Canada, two populous, developed nations with distinct health system models. The analysis begins with an overview of each system's normal functioning, followed by an exploration of pandemic-era changes, and concludes with a comparative assessment of their responses to COVID-19.

Health Care Systems

In normal circumstances, the U.S. health care system is predominantly market-driven, characterized by a mix of private insurance, employer-sponsored plans, and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Access to care often depends on insurance coverage, and the system emphasizes advanced medical technology and specialist services. Conversely, Canada operates under a publicly funded universal health care model, known as Medicare, which aims to provide essential services to all citizens regardless of income, primarily financed through taxation. In Canada, primary care is publicly funded, with physicians often paid via fee-for-service, but the system emphasizes equitable access and preventive care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries implemented significant changes. The U.S. expanded testing capacity by establishing federally funded testing sites and allowing testing to be covered by the CARES Act. The U.S. also increased telehealth services by relaxing licensing barriers to ensure continued care delivery. Canada responded by increasing funding for public health units and expanding home care services to reduce hospital burdens. Both countries faced challenges in resource allocation, but the U.S. discrepancies in access and disparities in vulnerable populations became more apparent during the crisis.

Public Health Systems

Under normal conditions, the U.S. public health system involves federal agencies like the CDC coordinating efforts across states, which have their own public health departments. Public health priorities include immunizations, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness. Canada's public health system is similarly coordinated through federal agencies like Public Health Agency of Canada, with provinces and territories managing localized responses. Canada's system emphasizes national coordination and community-based prevention strategies.

The pandemic prompted both countries to adapt rapidly. The U.S. enhanced its surveillance systems by improving data sharing between federal and state agencies and prioritized vaccine distribution through federal procurement and distribution plans. Canada increased funding for contact tracing and public health communication campaigns to combat misinformation. The Canadian approach emphasized equitable vaccine access across diverse communities, whereas the U.S. faced challenges related to vaccine hesitancy and regional disparities in health equity.

Regulatory Systems

In normal times, the U.S. regulatory system includes agencies such as the FDA, which oversees drug and vaccine approvals, and OSHA, which regulates workplace safety. The system is characterized by rigorous approval processes and a focus on safety. Canada's regulatory framework involves Health Canada, responsible for approving medical products and establishing safety standards. Both countries’ regulatory systems prioritize safety but can sometimes delay urgent innovations during crises.

During the pandemic, both countries modified regulatory procedures. The U.S. Fast Track and Emergency Use Authorization provisions accelerated vaccine and therapeutic approvals. The FDA collaborated with manufacturers through Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs), expediting access. Canada employed similar measures, streamlining approval processes without compromising safety. Both systems faced criticism for balancing speed with safety, but their flexible regulatory adaptations facilitated rapid deployment of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.

Comparison and Contrast

Both the U.S. and Canada demonstrated agility by modifying their healthcare, public health, and regulatory systems. However, Canada’s universal healthcare system allowed for more equitable access to testing, treatment, and vaccines, reducing disparities among vulnerable populations. The U.S. healthcare system, with its fragmented insurance coverage, struggled to provide consistent access, leading to higher mortality and morbidity in marginalized communities.

The public health response in Canada was marked by coordinated national campaigns and emphasis on community engagement, which minimized misinformation and improved vaccination rates. The U.S., with its decentralized system, faced difficulties in uniform messaging and resource distribution, compounding regional disparities. Nonetheless, both countries effectively increased testing and contact tracing capacities, although Canada's emphasis on public education contributed to better vaccine uptake in diverse populations.

The regulatory frameworks in both nations adapted swiftly, highlighting the capacity of their respective agencies to expedite approval processes without sacrificing safety. The U.S. FDA’s EUA pathways facilitated rapid vaccine deployment, paralleling Canada's expedited approvals by Health Canada. Both systems faced scrutiny over the speed-safety balance but ultimately contributed to timely access to critical medical interventions.

Conclusion

Evaluating the responses of the United States and Canada illustrates that a universal healthcare system with strong public health coordination and flexible regulatory processes, as exemplified by Canada, tends to produce more equitable and effective outcomes during pandemics. While the U.S. demonstrated resilience and innovation, its fragmented system hindered uniform responses and exacerbated disparities. Overall, Canada's integrated approach provided a more cohesive response to COVID-19, resulting in comparatively better health outcomes and more equitable access during the crisis.

References

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  • Government of Canada. COVID-19 response: Health Canada. 2022. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry.html
  • Kansagra AP, et al. Convolutional neural networks for COVID-19 diagnosis with chest X-ray images. PLOS ONE. 2020;15(6):e0234428.
  • Lee C, et al. Public health infrastructure and policy responses during COVID-19: Canada and the US. Health Policy. 2021;125(5):603-611.
  • Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Health System and Public Health Response to COVID-19. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 2021.
  • Public Health Agency of Canada. COVID-19 situation update. 2023. Available at: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19
  • Tsai J, et al. COVID-19 disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Ann Epidemiol. 2021;59:6-16.
  • World Health Organization. COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. 2022. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/strategic-preparedness-and-response-plan-for-the-COVID-19-pandemic

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