The U.S. health care system is in a unique category, according to a new analysis of health system performance in 10 high-income countries — but in a devastating way.
Americans are living sicker lives and dying younger, according to a report by Commonwealth Fundan independent healthcare research company. Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of America’s Failed Health SystemPublished on Thursday.
The United States came in last in three of five categories — equality, health outcomes, and access to health care — as well as receiving the worst rating overall. The country fared slightly better in administrative efficiency, coming in ninth, behind New Zealand. This is despite spending more than any other country included in the assessment.
“The United States is failing to fulfill one of its core obligations as a nation: protecting the health and well-being of its people.” Dr. Joseph BetancourtThe head of the Commonwealth Fund said: prepared statement“The status quo – spending at the maximum and getting the least amount of health care money – is not sustainable. It’s not about a lack of resources – it’s about clarity about how they’re spent.”
The United States only came out on top in a category called process of care, which takes into account safety, prevention, coordination and patient engagement. Its second-place finish “was the result of success in providing preventive services, such as mammograms and flu shots, and a focus on patient safety,” the report said.
mirror, mirror Data collected from 2021 to 2023 were used, with 70 measures covering the five categories. Respondents to the Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey included primary care physicians, the general population of adults aged 18 years and over, and a subset of those aged 65 years and over. Additional data sources included Global Health Organization And the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Here is each country’s ranking for 2024, compared to the previous ranking: 2021 ReportNorway, which held the top spot three years ago, dropped out of the international health policy survey and is not included in this year’s rankings.
High Income Countries with the Best Healthcare Systems
1. Australia (Higher than No. 3)
2. Holland (same)
3. UK (higher than number 4)
4. New Zealand (Higher than number 6)
5. France (Higher than number 8)
High-income countries with the worst health care systems
6. Sweden (Higher than No. 7)
7. Canada (higher than 10)
8. Switzerland (Higher than number 9)
9. Germany (down from number 5)
10. we (Technically higher than #11 but still in last place)
Although the differences in overall performance between most countries were relatively small, the report noted that the United States was the only outlier that performed “significantly lower.”
Other Healthcare Categories
- Better access to care: Netherlands (same)
- Worst chances of getting care: United States (same)
- Best administrative efficiency: United Kingdom (was Norway)
- Worst administrative efficiency: Switzerland (was the United States)
- Best care process: New Zealand (same)
- Worst care process: Sweden (same)
- Best property rights: Australia (same)
- Worst stocks: United States (same)
- Best health outcomes: Australia (same)
- Worst health outcomes: United States (same)
“mirror, mirror “This report underscores the importance of international comparisons, providing evidence and inspiration for improving America’s health system,” Reginald Williams, Commonwealth Fund’s vice president for international policy and practical innovation, said in a statement. prepared statementWhile other countries have succeeded in meeting the health needs of their populations, the health system in the United States remains significantly underdeveloped.
“This report shows that by adopting proven strategies and making smart investments, America can strengthen its health system to better meet the needs of its people. There is no reason why we can’t raise our profile if we choose to do so.”
How much does the United States spend on health care?
Relatively high health care spending in the United States is nothing new, but the gap between U.S. spending and spending in the other nine countries ranked has widened significantly.
Starting in 1980, health care spending in the United States was 8.2% of GDP; the United Kingdom was the lowest at 5.1%. By 2020, U.S. spending had risen to a record high of 18.6%. It fell to 16.5% in 2022, when the other nine countries’ spending was between 9.8% (Australia) and 12.6% (Germany).
The report highlights the paradox that the country that spent the most on health care, the United States, was the poorest performer. Moreover, the two countries that performed the best, Australia and the Netherlands, were the least spenders.
Hope is not lost for health care reform in the United States
In this presidential election year, health care reform has become a top priority for American voters on both sides of the political aisle, mirror, mirror It depicts the nation’s problems in stark contrast.
Health insurance coverage in the United States is fragmented—leaving 26 million Americans uninsured—while the other nine countries boast universal coverage. Dealing with medical bills is a nightmare for many Americans, though the United Kingdom and Australia are working to reduce their burdens. The United States has the highest rates of preventable and treatable deaths among all ages. Americans are expected to live four years less than the average in 10 countries, in part due to gun violence and drug abuse.
The list goes on. However, the Commonwealth Fund researchers concluded that their findings were more of a learning moment than an insurmountable obstacle. press release In relation to the report, they recommended a number of policy initiatives, including:
- Making health care more affordable and more accessible By expanding health care coverage to the remaining uninsured and reforming insurance coverage to meet minimum adequacy standards, including limits on out-of-pocket expenses.
- Improving health equity By eliminating health care disparities for low-income individuals, Blacks, Latinos, indigenous peoples, women, and people living in rural areas. These groups often face discrimination and receive lower-quality care.
“Too many Americans are living shorter, sicker lives because of this failure,” Betancourt said. “We need to build a health system that is affordable and works for everyone. It’s time to rise to this challenge.”
For more information about health care in the United States:
Sign up for our Well Adjusted newsletter, which contains simple strategies for working smarter and living better, from the Fortune Well team. subscription Free today.