Select 13 Foreign Countries And Provide The Following Info

Select 13 Foreign Countries And Provide The Following Information Ab

Select 1–3 foreign countries, and provide the following information about the access, quality, and cost of health care: Compare a foreign country's quality of care to the United States' quality of care. Compare a foreign country's cost of health care to the United States' cost of health care. Compare 1 of the foreign countries' access to medical care to the United States' access to medical care. Give examples of how the World Health Organization (WHO) helps to provide health care in times of need. Be sure to support your information by citing at least 2 scholarly references using APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The global landscape of healthcare systems reveals significant disparities in access, quality, and costs across countries. Understanding these differences is crucial for evaluating international health policies and improving health outcomes worldwide. This paper compares the healthcare systems of the United States, known for its advanced medical technology but high costs, with two selected foreign countries—Canada and the United Kingdom—both of which have publicly funded healthcare models. Additionally, the paper discusses the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in providing emergency health relief and strengthening healthcare systems globally.

Comparison of Healthcare Quality

The quality of healthcare in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States varies widely due to differences in healthcare infrastructure, policy, and population health management. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Report (2000), Canada ranks higher than the United States in several health indicators, including overall life expectancy and healthcare effectiveness (WHO, 2000). Canada’s publicly funded system emphasizes primary care and preventive services, which improves overall health outcomes. Conversely, the U.S., despite leading in innovative treatments and medical research, suffers from disparities in healthcare quality among different socioeconomic groups, which impacts overall national health statistics (McGinnis, Williams-Russo, & Knickman, 2002).

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) provides universally accessible healthcare, ensuring that quality is less dependent on individual income levels. Studies show that the NHS’s focus on equitable access results in comparable health outcomes across social classes, although there are concerns about wait times and resource limitations (Burgess & Goyder, 2019). Overall, while the U.S. excels in technological innovations and specialized care, Canada and the UK demonstrate that equitable access directly correlates with higher population health levels.

Comparison of Healthcare Costs

Cost is a predominant challenge in the U.S. healthcare system, with healthcare expenditure reaching approximately 17.7% of GDP in 2019—far higher than in Canada and the UK, where healthcare costs are predominantly publicly funded (OECD, 2020). The average per capita healthcare spending in the U.S. exceeds $10,000, compared to about $4,000 in Canada and roughly $4,500 in the UK (OECD, 2020). Despite high expenditures, the U.S. does not achieve correspondingly better health outcomes, pointing to inefficiencies and high administrative costs.

In contrast, Canada’s system controls costs through government-funded models that negotiate prices for services and pharmaceuticals, which significantly reduces per capita spending while maintaining acceptable quality. The UK's NHS similarly manages costs through centralized budgeting and cost-control policies, which allows it to deliver comprehensive care at a lower overall expense. The economic efficiency of these public models underscores that high spending in the U.S. does not necessarily translate into superior health quality, highlighting the importance of systemic efficiency.

Access to Medical Care

Access to medical care remains more equitable in Canada and the UK due to their universal healthcare systems. In Canada, residents are eligible for publicly funded health services regardless of income, which reduces disparities caused by socioeconomic status (Martin et al., 2019). The UK’s NHS provides free primary and hospital care at the point of service, ensuring broad access even in underserved areas. Conversely, in the United States, access is often limited by insurance coverage gaps, high out-of-pocket costs, and uneven distribution of healthcare facilities, which can delay or deny necessary care for vulnerable populations.

A comparative study indicates that Canadians and Britons are more likely to receive timely medical attention than Americans, especially those with lower income or without insurance (Cohen & Hargraves, 2013). The disparities in access highlight systemic strengths of publicly funded models and expose vulnerabilities in the U.S. healthcare system’s ability to provide equitable care.

The Role of WHO in Providing Healthcare in Times of Need

The World Health Organization plays an essential role in coordinating international efforts to respond to health emergencies. During pandemics such as COVID-19, WHO has provided crucial guidance on public health measures, facilitated resource mobilization, and supported health system strengthening in affected countries (World Health Organization, 2020). For example, WHO’s rapid response teams delivered essential medical supplies and technical support to countries overwhelmed by outbreaks, aiding in containment efforts (Katz et al., 2020).

Furthermore, WHO collaborates with countries to develop universal health coverage, improve primary healthcare infrastructure, and train health workers, thereby improving resilience in times of crisis. Its initiatives promote equitable access to essential medicines and vaccines, which are vital during health emergencies, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind. The global health agency’s leadership underscores the importance of international cooperation in mitigating health crises and enhancing global health security.

Conclusion

The comparison of healthcare systems across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States reveals distinct strengths and challenges. Canada and the UK prioritize universal coverage and cost control, resulting in equitable access and efficient resource utilization, though with some limitations in waiting times or technological disparity. The United States, despite its advanced medical innovations, is hampered by high costs and healthcare disparities. The WHO’s vital role in emergency preparedness and response exemplifies the importance of global collaboration in achieving health equity and resilience. Strengthening international cooperation and adopting best practices from various systems can help improve healthcare access, quality, and affordability worldwide.

References

Burgess, C., & Goyder, E. (2019). The impact of wait times for elective hospital care on health outcomes: A systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 475. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4244-0

Cohen, R. A., & Hargraves, J. L. (2013). Does the United States have universal health insurance? JAMA, 310(16), 1775-1776. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.278691

Katz, R., et al. (2020). The WHO’s role in health emergency response and planetary health. The Lancet Global Health, 8(12), e1634-e1635. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30477-0

Martin, D. P., et al. (2019). Equity in access to health care in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 110(4), 487-494. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-019-00216-4

McGinnis, J. M., Williams-Russo, P., & Knickman, J. R. (2002). The case for more active policy attention to health promotion. Health Affairs, 21(2), 78-93. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.21.2.78

OECD. (2020). Health Spending. OECD Health Statistics 2020. https://stats.oecd.org/

World Health Organization. (2000). World health report 2000: Health systems: Improving performance. Geneva: WHO.

World Health Organization. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic response. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019