APA format. There are 2 parts to this assignment. I have att…
Global Health Comparison Matrix
Introduction
Global health is a field that focuses on improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities on a global scale. It involves analyzing and comparing the health systems, policies, and outcomes of different countries to identify best practices and areas for improvement. In this assignment, we will construct a global health comparison matrix to compare two countries – the United States and Canada – in terms of their healthcare systems, policies, and health outcomes.
Healthcare Systems
The healthcare systems of the United States and Canada differ significantly in terms of their structure, funding, and access. The United States follows a multi-payer system, where healthcare is primarily provided through private insurance companies and is primarily financed through employer-based insurance, government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and out-of-pocket payments (Squires & Anderson, 2015). In contrast, Canada has a single-payer system known as Medicare, where healthcare is primarily funded through taxes and provided universally to all residents (Davis et al., 2014).
The policies and regulations governing healthcare in the two countries also differ. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010 with the aim of expanding access to healthcare and reducing the number of uninsured individuals (Squires & Anderson, 2015). The ACA introduced several provisions, such as the individual mandate and health insurance exchanges, to achieve these goals. In Canada, the Canada Health Act of 1984 establishes the principles of the country’s healthcare system, including accessibility, universality, comprehensiveness, and portability (Davis et al., 2014).
Health Outcomes
When comparing health outcomes, various indicators can be considered, including life expectancy, infant mortality, and disease prevalence. In terms of life expectancy, Canada consistently outperforms the United States. According to the World Health Organization (2019), the life expectancy at birth in Canada is 82 years, while in the United States, it is 78 years. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including differences in healthcare access, lifestyle behaviors, and social determinants of health.
Infant mortality is another important indicator of population health. In this regard, Canada also performs better than the United States. According to the Central Intelligence Agency (2020), the infant mortality rate in Canada is 4.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, while in the United States, it is 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. This disparity may reflect differences in prenatal and neonatal care, socioeconomic factors, and public health interventions.
The prevalence of chronic diseases is another crucial aspect of health outcomes. Both Canada and the United States face the challenge of rising rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. However, the burden of these diseases is generally higher in the United States. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) reports that 10.5% of adults in Canada have diabetes, compared to 13.0% in the United States. Similarly, the prevalence of obesity is 29.4% in Canada and 36.2% in the United States. These disparities may be influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and lifestyle behaviors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the United States and Canada have distinct healthcare systems, policies, and health outcomes. While the United States follows a multi-payer system and relies heavily on private insurance, Canada has a single-payer system funded through taxes. Canada consistently outperforms the United States in terms of life expectancy, infant mortality, and disease prevalence. These differences can be attributed to various factors, including differences in healthcare access, policy interventions, and social determinants of health. Understanding the similarities and differences between these two countries can inform efforts to improve global health outcomes and foster cross-national collaborations.
References
Central Intelligence Agency. (2020). The world factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/
Davis, K., Stremikis, K., Squires, D., & Schoen, C. (2014). Mirror, mirror on the wall: How the performance of the U.S. health care system compares internationally, 2014 update. The Commonwealth Fund.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). National diabetes statistics report, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html
Squires, D., & Anderson, C. (2015). U.S. health care from a global perspective: Spending, use of services, prices, and health in 13 countries. The Commonwealth Fund.
World Health Organization. (2019). World health statistics 2019: Monitoring health for the SDGs, sustainable development goals. World Health Organization.