Select 13 Foreign Countries And Provide The Following 876071
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 in 3 pages : 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
The comparative analysis of healthcare systems across different countries provides valuable insights into the disparities and similarities in access, quality, and costs. For this discussion, I will focus on Sweden as the foreign country for comparison with the United States, particularly examining the aspects of quality and access to health care, as well as a brief overview of costs. Additionally, I will explore the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in providing assistance during global health emergencies.
Sweden’s healthcare system is often lauded for its high quality and equitable access, largely funded through taxation. The quality of care in Sweden is comparable, or even superior, to that in the United States when considering patient safety, health outcomes, and preventive services. According to the Commonwealth Fund (2020), Sweden ranks among the top countries in healthcare quality, demonstrating high patient satisfaction, low rates of hospital readmissions, and excellent maternal and pediatric care. These outcomes are attributed to the Swedish national health policy, which emphasizes primary care, preventive services, and continuous quality improvement. Conversely, the U.S. healthcare system, while technologically advanced, grapples with disparities in quality, often linked to socioeconomic status, insurance coverage gaps, and regional disparities (Schoen et al., 2019).
Access to healthcare services in Sweden is markedly more equitable than in the United States. Universal coverage ensures that all residents have access to essential medical services without financial hardship. This contrasts sharply with the U.S., where access can be limited by insurance status and economic barriers. The U.S. healthcare system, despite having some of the best medical technologies and facilities, leaves a significant portion of the population underserved or uninsured, leading to disparities in timely access to necessary care (Bach & Pham, 2020). In Sweden, primary care clinics are widely accessible in both urban and rural areas, ensuring that patients can receive prompt diagnosis and treatment without excessive travel or wait times.
When comparing costs, the United States spends substantially more on healthcare per capita than Sweden. According to the OECD (2021), the U.S. expenditure exceeds $11,000 per person annually, which is significantly higher than Sweden’s expenditure, approximately $6,000 per person. Despite this higher spending, the U.S. does not consistently achieve better health outcomes relative to Sweden, highlighting inefficiencies and administrative costs prevalent in the American system. The high costs in the U.S. are driven by factors such as administrative complexity, high drug prices, and expensive specialist care, whereas Sweden benefits from cost-control measures, centralized negotiations for pharmaceuticals, and a focus on primary care to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and procedures (OECD, 2021).
The role of the World Health Organization (WHO) becomes particularly crucial during times of global health crises, such as pandemics or natural disasters. WHO provides technical guidance, mobilizes resources, and coordinates international efforts to deliver effective healthcare responses. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO facilitated global testing protocols, supported vaccine development, and assisted in supply chain management for personal protective equipment (WHO, 2022). Through partnerships with countries, NGOs, and the private sector, WHO ensures that vulnerable populations receive necessary medical aid, highlights best practices, and advocates for equitable access to healthcare resources worldwide. These efforts exemplify WHO’s mission in strengthening health systems and responding swiftly to emergencies to mitigate health impacts worldwide.
In conclusion, comparing the healthcare systems of Sweden and the United States reveals important insights into how access, quality, and costs are managed differently. Sweden’s universal healthcare model provides high-quality care and equitable access at lower costs, serving as a potential model for reforming American healthcare disparities. Additionally, the WHO plays an indispensable role in global health emergencies, exemplifying the importance of international cooperation and strategic intervention in safeguarding public health.
References
Bach, P. B., & Pham, H. H. (2020). Disparities in health access: An overview of US healthcare. Health Affairs, 39(2), 233–240. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00702
Commonwealth Fund. (2020). International health care system profiles: Sweden. https://www.commonwealthfund.org
OECD. (2021). Health spending: United States. OECD Reports. https://www.oecd.org
Schoen, C., Osborn, R., Squires, D., Doty, M., Pierson, R., & Blood, I. (2019). How health insurance design affects access to care and costs, by income, in eleven countries. Health Affairs, 38(3), 395–404. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05122
World Health Organization. (2022). WHO coronavirus disease (COVID-19) dashboard. https://covid19.who.int