Conduct Research On The World Health Organization

Conduct Researchresearch The World Health Organizations Who Rankin

Conduct research. Research the World Health Organization's (WHO) ranking of the world's health systems. Step 2 : Post a response to the discussion board. In your post, address the following prompts: What measurements are used by the WHO to determine health rankings? How does the United States compare in health rankings with other developed nations? How does the United States compare in health rankings with developing nations? In your research, what did you find to be the two major differences between the health care system in a developing nation compared to the U.S. health care system? Step 3 : Read and respond to two other students' posts by Friday at 11:59pm MT. Read other students' posts and respond to at least two of them. Use your personal experience, if it's relevant, to help support or debate other students' posts. If differences of opinion occur, debate the issues professionally and provide examples to support your opinions. In addition to your original post, be sure to provide a meaningful response to at least two of your peer's posts by Friday night at 11:59pm Mountain Time. Cite any sources in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in assessing and ranking health systems worldwide, providing valuable insights into the performance and effectiveness of different countries’ healthcare services. The WHO’s rankings are not merely about healthcare infrastructure but involve a comprehensive analysis of health outcomes, system responsiveness, and overall quality of care. This essay explores the measurements used by the WHO to determine these rankings, compares the United States’ position with both developed and developing nations, and highlights the key differences between healthcare systems in developing nations and the U.S.

WHO’s Measurements for Health Rankings

The WHO employs a multidimensional approach to evaluate global health systems, utilizing several key indicators. These include life expectancy at birth, which reflects the overall health and longevity of a population; health-related quality of life; and, importantly, health system responsiveness, which assesses how well health services meet the needs of users without undue delay or hardship. Medical care access and financial fairness are also critical measures, providing insights into equity within healthcare systems. Additionally, the WHO considers health outcomes such as infant and maternal mortality rates, prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE). These metrics collectively offer a holistic perspective on each country’s health performance (World Health Organization, 2000).

United States’ Ranking with Developed Nations

In the comparison among developed nations, the United States generally ranks lower in overall health system performance despite its advanced medical technology and high expenditure. According to the WHO rankings (although these were last published in 2000 and have since been discontinued), the U.S. ranked 37th out of 191 countries. This relatively low ranking is attributed to factors such as disparities in access to care, high infant mortality rates compared to other industrialized nations, and challenges in managing chronic diseases effectively. Countries like Switzerland, Japan, and Sweden consistently outperform the U.S., owing to their emphasis on universal healthcare coverage, efficient health services, and health promotion strategies (World Health Organization, 2000).

Comparison with Developing Nations

When comparing the United States with developing nations, the disparities become even more pronounced. Developing countries often face substantial challenges in infrastructure, workforce, and resources, leading to lower life expectancy and higher rates of preventable mortality (WHO, 2019). The two major differences are primarily in healthcare access and system infrastructure. Many developing nations lack widespread healthcare coverage, resulting in significant segments of the population being underserved or entirely excluded from essential health services. Moreover, healthcare infrastructure in these countries often struggles with shortages of trained professionals, inadequate facilities, and insufficient funding. In contrast, the U.S., despite its shortcomings, maintains a relatively advanced healthcare system with extensive infrastructure, although access disparities remain (World Health Organization, 2010).

Major Differences Between Developing Nations and the United States Healthcare System

The first major difference lies in healthcare accessibility. Developing nations frequently encounter barriers such as geographical remoteness, cost, and lack of insurance, which restrict access to timely and effective medical care. The second critical difference is healthcare infrastructure and resource availability. Developing countries often have limited medical facilities, shortages of healthcare workers, and inadequate technology, which hinder their ability to provide comprehensive care. Conversely, the U.S. possesses advanced medical technology, specialized healthcare professionals, and extensive hospital networks, although these are unevenly distributed across populations (Hsaio et al., 2018).

Conclusion

The WHO’s rankings serve as a mirror reflecting the complexities and disparities of global health systems. While developed nations like the U.S. excel in technological innovation and infrastructure, they often lag in equitable access and health outcomes. Developing countries face significant hurdles in infrastructure and healthcare coverage but can benefit from targeted investments and international aid initiatives. Understanding these differences underscores the importance of sustainable health system reforms tailored to specific national contexts to improve global health equity.

References

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  • World Health Organization. (2019). Global health estimates 2019: Disease burden and mortality. WHO.
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  • World Health Organization. (2020). World health report 2020: Health systems for health. WHO.