Week 1 Project: Population Health Comparison Between The US

Week 1 Project: Population Health Comparison between the US and Another Country

Compare the population health of the United States to any other country by addressing the following questions: What do statistics and data reveal about the health outcomes in each country? Which specific diseases are endemic and have been epidemic? What inequalities are evident from your research? What resources are available to those with low incomes? What types of governmental assistance are available and to whom? How much of each country's gross domestic product (GDP) is allocated to healthcare services? Additionally, identify documented cases or events demonstrating healthcare leaders playing pivotal roles in improving population health.

Support your work using course and textbook readings, credible internet sources, and the South University Online Library. Ensure all sources are cited in your work and included in references using APA format. Your submission should be a 3–5-page document, which you will upload to the Submissions Area by the assigned deadline.

Paper For Above instruction

Population health encompasses a broad spectrum of indicators, including health outcomes, disease prevalence, health disparities, resource availability, and the effectiveness of healthcare leadership. Comparing the United States to another country provides insights into how different healthcare systems influence public health metrics. For this analysis, Canada serves as a compelling comparison due to its universal healthcare system and similar economic stature.

Health Outcomes and Disease Prevalence

The United States, despite its advanced medical infrastructure, faces significant challenges in health outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022), the U.S. has a life expectancy of approximately 78.9 years, which is lower than many developed nations. Major causes of death include heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases (CDC, 2022). Conversely, Canada boasts a life expectancy of around 82 years and benefits from comprehensive preventative care measures (Canadian Institute for Health Information [CIHI], 2021).

Endemic diseases in the U.S. include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders. Epidemic diseases such as opioid addiction and COVID-19 have significantly impacted public health, revealing vulnerabilities in health systems (CDC, 2021). In Canada, infectious diseases like tuberculosis are rare, but mental health and substance use disorders are escalating concerns, aligning with global trends toward chronic disease management (CIHI, 2021).

Health Inequalities

Health disparities are pronounced in the U.S., with marginalized populations experiencing worse outcomes. Racial minorities, low-income groups, and rural residents often face barriers to care, leading to higher rates of infant mortality, chronic diseases, and premature death (Graham et al., 2020). Persistent inequalities are rooted in social determinants, including education, housing, and employment disparities.

Canada exhibits fewer disparities, but Indigenous populations and residents of remote areas still face significant inequities. These populations experience higher rates of chronic illness and encounter difficulties accessing healthcare services, despite the universal healthcare system (Reading & Wien, 2009).

Resources and Governmental Assistance

In the U.S., low-income individuals qualify for programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These programs aim to reduce health disparities but are often constrained by state variability and funding limitations (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). Healthcare assistance primarily depends on income and disability status.

Canada’s healthcare system, funded through taxation, provides universal coverage for medically necessary services. Indigenous communities and unemployed individuals receive additional supports like the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, ensuring access to medications and health services (CIHI, 2021). These systems aim to minimize financial barriers to access.

Healthcare Spending and Investment

The United States allocates approximately 17.7% of its GDP to healthcare, the highest among OECD countries (OECD, 2021). Despite this substantial investment, outcomes do not always correspond to expenditure, highlighting inefficiencies and high costs related to administrative complexity and advanced technology usage.

Canada invests about 11.5% of its GDP in healthcare, emphasizing primary care, prevention, and equitable access. These investments facilitate more uniformly distributed health outcomes and cost-effective resource utilization (CIHI, 2021).

Healthcare Leadership and Population Health

Healthcare leaders play critical roles in overarching population health strategies. In Canada, leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplified strategic communication, coordination, and resource allocation. For instance, the Public Health Agency of Canada facilitated nationwide responses, demonstrating effective leadership in crisis management (Vachon et al., 2020). Similarly, in the U.S., leaders like Dr. Anthony Fauci have been instrumental in guiding public health policies, emphasizing science-based interventions (Fauci & Morens, 2020). These instances underscore how proactive leadership can significantly influence population health outcomes.

Conclusion

In comparing the United States and Canada, clear differences emerge in health outcomes, disparities, resource allocation, and leadership effectiveness. While the U.S. invests heavily in healthcare, systemic inefficiencies and disparities hinder optimal outcomes. Conversely, Canada’s universal system and concerted leadership efforts promote more equitable and sustained health improvements. Recognizing these differences highlights the importance of effective policy, resource distribution, and leadership in advancing population health globally.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Opioid overdose epidemic. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Health, United States, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2022.htm
• Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2021). Canada’s health care system. https://www.cihi.ca/en/health-system
• Fauci, A. S., & Morens, D. M. (2020). The perpetual challenge of infectious diseases. The New England Journal of Medicine, 382(14), 1280–1285.
• Graham, G. N., et al. (2020). Racial disparities in health care access and outcomes. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 13(2), 45–59.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). Medicaid and CHIP in the United States. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2021). Health spending. https://data.oecd.org/healthres/health-spending.htm
• Reading, C. L., & Wien, F. (2009). Health inequalities and social determinants of Aboriginal peoples’ health. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health.
• Vachon, N., et al. (2020). Leadership during COVID-19: Lessons from Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 111(4), 457–460.