International Comparison Of Data - The World Health Organiza
International Comparison of Data The World Health Orga
This assignment requires comparing health indicators between the United States and another country selected by the student, using data from the World Health Organization’s “Statistical Information System.” The comparison involves selecting three relevant health indicators, creating a data table for both countries, and analyzing the differences and insights gained from this comparison.
Specifically, students should first identify the country they are comparing with the U.S. and define the three health indicators chosen for analysis, explaining the rationale behind their selection. A table documenting the data for each indicator in both countries must be included. The analysis should focus on interpreting the data, reflecting on what it reveals about health status, disease burden, and healthcare systems in the respective countries. Students should highlight at least two key insights derived from this comparison, supported by scholarly sources and course resources.
Paper For Above instruction
The country selected for comparison with the United States in this analysis is Somalia. This choice is driven by Somalia’s markedly different healthcare landscape, characterized by significant resource constraints, ongoing conflict, and a diverse health profile. By examining Somalia alongside the U.S., which boasts a highly developed healthcare system, the stark contrasts in health indicators can provide profound insights into how social, economic, and political factors influence health outcomes globally.
The three health indicators chosen for this comparison are life expectancy at birth, total health expenditure per capita, and under-5 mortality rate. These indicators are critical because they reflect overall population health, resource allocation for health, and the success of health interventions in reducing child mortality—a key marker of health system performance. Life expectancy at birth is a standard measure of population health and longevity, indicating the cumulative effects of health determinants. Total health expenditure per capita provides insight into the financial investment made by each country in health services, shedding light on resource distribution and accessibility. The under-5 mortality rate serves as an indicator of maternal and child health, health service delivery, and overall societal development.
| Indicator | United States | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (years) (male/female) | 76/81 | 51/55 |
| Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $) | 8,895 | 17 |
| Under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) | 7 | 147 |
The data reveal stark differences between the two countries. The United States boasts a high life expectancy—76 years for males and 81 years for females—reflecting advanced healthcare infrastructure, preventive health measures, and higher socioeconomic status. In contrast, Somalia’s considerably lower life expectancy (51 years for males and 55 for females) underscores challenges such as limited access to healthcare, ongoing conflict, and poverty.
Financial investment in health further discriminates these nations. The U.S. invests approximately $8,895 per capita, which supports a broad range of healthcare services, advanced medical technology, and widespread insurance coverage. Conversely, Somalia's minimal expenditure of around $17 per capita signifies gross underfunding, limited infrastructure, and inadequate health service delivery, contributing to poorer health outcomes.
The under-5 mortality rate exemplifies these disparities vividly. In the U.S., low mortality rates (7 per 1,000 live births) reflect effective maternal and child health programs, immunization coverage, and socioeconomic factors supporting child survival. Somalia’s high rate (147 per 1,000) highlights deficiencies in basic healthcare access, immunizations, and nutrition, coupled with crises such as famine and disease outbreaks.
Analyzing these findings, two primary insights emerge. First, there is a robust correlation between health expenditure and health outcomes; higher investment tends to associate with longer life expectancy and lower child mortality. The U.S., with its substantial healthcare spending, demonstrates these superior outcomes. Second, socioeconomic and political stability profoundly influence health indicators. Somalia’s tumultuous environment hampers effective healthcare delivery, emphasizing that health improvements are intertwined with peace, governance, and economic development. These comparisons underscore the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructure, social determinants of health, and stability to improve health outcomes worldwide.
References
- Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2015). Delivering health care in America: A systems approach (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
- World Health Organization. (2015). Statistical Information System. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/data/collections
- World Bank. (2020). World Development Indicators. https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators
- United Nations Development Programme. (2021). Human Development Reports. http://hdr.undp.org/en/indicators/137506
- Trust for America’s Health. (2015). Thrive: Advancing health in America. Retrieved from https://www.tfah.org
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Global health. https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/index.html
- OECD. (2015). Health at a Glance: OECD Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1787/health_glance-2015-en
- USAID. (2019). Somalia health profile. https://www.usaid.gov/somalia
- World Health Organization. (2019). World health statistics 2019: Monitoring health for the SDGs. Geneva: WHO.
- World Bank. (2018). World Development Indicators. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.DYN.MORT