This Is The First Part Of The Final Paper Due By October

This Is The First Part Of The Final Paper Which Is Due By October 29th

Review the Final Paper criteria in Week Six of the course. Choose a country not covered in this course for your Final Paper. Make sure you choose one that has enough information to assess. In words, describe the country you have chosen and list at least three sources that you will be able to use to extract the information necessary for the Final Paper. In Week 4, you will present an outline and concept paper of the country you have chosen for instructor feedback.

The primary purpose of the Concept Paper is to obtain instructor feedback to ensure that you are on track with the completion of your country health care analysis. The complete instructions for the country of your choice not covered in this course and analyze its health system in terms of cost, quality, and access to care—can be found in Week Six of the online course. The Concept Paper is a draft version of your Final Paper with the initial list of relevant scholarly sources.

In this draft, be certain to include and (at least) briefly address the content of the headings listed in the Final Paper instructions for Week Six. Remember, your concept paper is a draft, NOT the final product. Submit your Concept Paper with the required headings to your instructor by the end of this week. Your country analysis should include an outline covering the following elements:

  • Impact on vulnerable population (elderly, children, mental health, etc.)
  • Women’s health and maternal-child health
  • Disease management of communicable and non-communicable diseases
  • Theory and practice of health promotion
  • Behavioral and lifestyle factors that affect health and illness

Additionally, incorporate data and statistics to tell your story. The paper must be a minimum of two double-spaced pages in length, formatted according to APA style. Include a title page with the following:

  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted

The paper should begin with an introductory paragraph containing a succinct thesis statement, address the topic with critical thought, and conclude by reaffirming your thesis.

Paper For Above instruction

The selection of a country for health system analysis is a critical step in understanding global health disparities and the myriad factors that influence health outcomes across different nations. For this task, I have chosen South Korea as the focus of my analysis. South Korea presents a unique and intriguing case study, distinguished by its rapid development, technological innovation, and its culturally rooted health practices. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of South Korea’s healthcare system, assessing its cost, quality, and access to services, while also contrasting it with the United States to highlight key differences in healthcare policy, delivery, and societal influence.

South Korea’s health system is characterized by its universal coverage, achieved through a mandatory National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme introduced in 1977, which became universal by 1989 (Kwon et al., 2020). The country’s healthcare expenditure is relatively efficient, with a focus on high-tech diagnostic tools and accessible primary care facilities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), South Korea spends approximately 8.1% of its GDP on health, which is lower than the United States' expenditure of about 16.8%. Despite this, South Korea manages to deliver high-quality care, with life expectancy reaching 83 years, surpassing that of the United States (OECD, 2022). This disparity underscores the efficiency of South Korea’s healthcare financing and service delivery models.

Access to healthcare in South Korea is facilitated by its dense network of healthcare providers, including hospitals and clinics, particularly in urban areas. Rural areas, however, face challenges with healthcare workforce distribution. The system emphasizes preventive care and early diagnosis, partly evidenced by its robust screening programs for cancers and chronic diseases (Kwon et al., 2020). In contrast, the United States’ healthcare system relies heavily on a combination of private insurance and public programs with significant disparities in access, often influenced by socioeconomic status and insurance coverage (DeVoe et al., 2021).

Vulnerable populations in South Korea, including the elderly, particularly benefit from the National Elderly Care Program, which offers comprehensive support amidst a rapidly aging population, with approximately 16% aged 65 or older (Kim & Park, 2020). However, the country faces challenges related to mental health services and stigmatization. Women’s health, especially maternal and child health, is prioritized through national programs emphasizing prenatal care, vaccination, and maternal health education, leading to low maternal mortality rates—an aspect where South Korea outperforms the United States (OECD, 2022).

The management of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, as well as non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, is integrated into the national health strategy. South Korea’s effective disease surveillance system and rapid response capabilities contribute to its success in controlling infectious outbreaks, demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic (Kim et al., 2021). Meanwhile, health promotion strategies are embedded in community health initiatives, focusing on behavioral changes—such as smoking cessation and healthy diet promotion—that influence health outcomes positively (Lee & Lee, 2019).

Behavioral and lifestyle factors—namely diet, physical activity, and smoking habits—are critical in South Korea’s health landscape. The government actively campaigns against smoking and promotes physical activity, recognizing their roles in reducing non-communicable disease burdens (Kim et al., 2021). These societal health behaviors contrast with those of the US, where lifestyle-related health issues remain prevalent due to disparities in health education and access.

In conclusion, South Korea exemplifies an organized, efficient healthcare system that effectively balances cost, quality, and access, benefiting especially the vulnerable populations. Its focus on preventive care, advanced technology, and comprehensive health policies exemplifies effective health system management. Comparing South Korea with the United States reveals significant disparities driven by policy, cultural perspectives, and economic factors, underscoring the importance of tailored health system reforms to improve health outcomes globally.

References

  • DeVoe, J. E., et al. (2021). "Health disparities and access to care." American Journal of Public Health, 111(3), 343–353.
  • Kim, H. & Park, S. (2020). "Aging Population in South Korea and Healthcare Challenges." Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Research, 9(4), 1-8.
  • Kim, S., et al. (2021). "South Korea’s COVID-19 Response and Lessons Learned." Public Health, 194, 83–86.
  • Kwon, S., et al. (2020). "Universal Health Coverage in South Korea." Health Economics Review, 10(1), 1-15.
  • OECD. (2022). "Health at a Glance: Asia-Pacific." Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
  • World Health Organization. (2021). "Global Health Expenditure Database." WHO.
  • Lee, M., & Lee, H. (2019). "Health Promotion Strategies in South Korea." Community Health Journal, 35(2), 125-132.
  • Kim, H., & Lee, J. (2018). "Preventive Healthcare and Cancer Screening in South Korea." South Korean Medical Journal, 44(7), 457-463.
  • OECD. (2022). "Healthcare Quality Indicators." OECD Health Data.
  • Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea. (2020). "Annual Report on Elderly Care Services."

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