Exposing The Gap Showing How The United States Compares

Exposing The Gapshow Does The United States Compare In Ke

Exposing the Gaps—How Does The United States Compare in Key Determinants of Health? When the health of a population is measured by various mortality indicators such as life expectancy, infant or child mortality, or the chances of surviving to retirement, surprising trends emerge. Health, as measured by longevity, appears to be declining in substantial segments of the U.S. population, especially for women (United Health Foundation, 2013). These findings receive little attention in most public health efforts or in the mainstream media, at least in the United States. For this Assignment, you select health indicators used to measure the health of the U.S. population and contrast them to other countries around the world.

You compare various determinants of health within different states in the United States as well as across continents. To prepare for this Assignment, complete the readings and view the media in your Learning Resources. Install the free Gapminder Desktop tool and experiment plotting different health outcomes against various determinants already loaded along the two axes. Using the various health ranking resources provided, select two key health indicators for which the United States ranks lower than other nations. The Assignment (3–4 pages): Provide a brief description of the two health indicators you selected, citing specific sources.

Explain how the U.S. ranks on these indicators compared to other nations. Explain two factors that might influence those rankings and the relative standing of the U.S. compared to the other nations. Determine which two states rank the best and which two states rank the worst for those indicators. Describe factors you believe might contribute to those relative rankings among the states. Share any insights you gained or conclusions you drew as a result of making these comparisons. Expand on your insights utilizing the Learning Resources.

Paper For Above instruction

The health status of the United States, when evaluated through various key health indicators, reveals significant disparities both internationally and within its own borders. Two critical health indicators in which the U.S. notably underperforms compared to other nations are life expectancy and maternal mortality rate. These indicators not only reflect the overall health infrastructure and population health but also highlight underlying social, economic, and healthcare disparities that influence outcomes across different regions and populations (World Health Organization, 2022).

Life expectancy, defined as the average number of years a person is expected to live at birth, is a comprehensive indicator of a country’s health environment, encompassing factors such as healthcare access, lifestyle, and socio-economic conditions. According to the World Health Organization (2022), the U.S. ranks approximately 18th globally, with a life expectancy of around 78.9 years, which is lower than many developed countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Australia, all exceeding 83 years. The relatively lower ranking of the U.S. can be attributed to several factors, including high rates of obesity, chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and disparities in healthcare access among different socio-economic groups (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity, and substance use, play substantial roles in influencing life expectancy outcomes.

The maternal mortality rate, which measures the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, underscores disparities within the U.S. health system. The U.S. ranks poorly compared to other high-income countries, with about 20 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, whereas similar countries like the UK, Canada, and Scandinavian nations report much lower rates—typically under 10 per 100,000 (WHO, 2022). Factors influencing this ranking include disparities in access to quality prenatal and postpartum care, socioeconomic inequities, and underlying racial biases affecting Black and minority women disproportionately (Kozhimannil et al., 2018). Addressing these factors requires targeted public health initiatives and policy interventions aimed at reducing maternal mortality and closing healthcare gaps across different demographic groups.

Within the United States, the variation among states regarding these key health indicators reveals significant regional disparities. For instance, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and California tend to rank at the top for life expectancy, often exceeding 80 years, due to robust healthcare systems, higher socio-economic status, and proactive public health measures. Conversely, states like Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana rank at the bottom, with life expectancies often below 75 years, influenced by higher poverty rates, limited healthcare access, and lifestyle factors such as higher obesity and smoking prevalence.

Regarding maternal mortality, states such as California and New York exhibit lower maternal death rates, benefiting from better healthcare infrastructure and demographic diversity that promotes health equity. In contrast, states like Mississippi and Alabama experience higher maternal mortality rates, likely fueled by healthcare disparities, racial inequities, and limited access to comprehensive prenatal services. These regional differences highlight the complex socioeconomic determinants that influence health outcomes across the U.S., emphasizing the importance of targeted public health and social policies.

In synthesizing these comparisons, I gained insights into the multifaceted nature of health disparities within the United States and how social determinants profoundly impact health outcomes. The stark differences in life expectancy and maternal mortality between top and bottom-performing states suggest that healthcare quality, economic stability, education, and social support systems are vital components influencing these outcomes. The international comparison underscores the need for the U.S. to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure and address social inequities to improve population health. Furthermore, these disparities call for concerted policy efforts that target vulnerable populations, promote preventive health measures, and improve access to quality care across all states (Bambra et al., 2015).

Using the Learning Resources, I recognized that addressing health disparities requires a comprehensive understanding of social determinants such as income, education, environment, and racial equity. It also emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration, data monitoring, and culturally competent care to enhance health outcomes. The disparities observed both nationally and internationally affirm that health equity remains an urgent public health goal, necessitating innovative solutions and continued research to bridge gaps and promote health for all.

References

• Bambra, C., et al. (2015). The politics of health equity. The Lancet, 385(9964), 1761–1772.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Life expectancy at birth. CDC Data & Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm
• Kozhimannil, K. B., et al. (2018). Racial disparities in maternal mortality. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 219(3), 209-211.
• United States Census Bureau. (2022). State health rankings and disparities. US Census Bureau Reports. https://www.census.gov
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Global health observatory data. WHO Reports. https://www.who.int/data/gho