THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2024 (HealthDay News) — A new report reveals that the United States ranks last in health care quality among wealthy nations. Despite spending the most on health care, Americans experience the shortest lifespans and the highest rates of illness compared to ten other developed countries, according to the annual report from The Commonwealth Fund.
Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were found to have the best health care systems in Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System.
“While other countries have effectively addressed their populations’ health needs, the U.S. health system is still significantly behind,” stated Reginald Williams II, vice president of international health policy and practice innovations at The Commonwealth Fund.
The researchers assessed the health systems of various countries based on 70 specific metrics across five performance areas. Other nations included in the analysis were Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Key findings of the report include:
- Americans have the shortest life expectancies and the most preventable deaths, placing last in five of six health outcome measures.
- Access to health care remains a challenge, with approximately 25 million Americans uninsured and nearly one-quarter unable to afford necessary care.
- The U.S. ranks lowest in health equity, with many low-income individuals facing significant barriers and experiencing discrimination in care.
- Both patients and providers endure heavy administrative burdens related to billing and paperwork, with the U.S. only marginally more efficient than Switzerland.
However, there was one positive aspect: the U.S. ranked second in “care process,” which includes prevention, safety, and patient engagement, partly due to the Affordable Care Act’s focus on these areas.
Dr. Joseph Betancourt, president of The Commonwealth Fund, remarked, “The U.S. is failing in its duty to protect the health and welfare of its citizens. The current approach—spending the most while achieving the least—is unsustainable.”
The report suggests several strategies to enhance the U.S. health care system:
- Expanding coverage to the uninsured and reforming health insurance to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
- Investing in primary care to increase access for patients.
- Addressing health inequities affecting minority and low-income groups.
- Curbing the unchecked consolidation of health care systems, which drives up costs.
- Tackling social determinants of health such as poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse.
Williams emphasized, “By adopting proven strategies and making smart investments, America can improve its health system to better serve its people. There’s no reason we can’t enhance our standing if we choose to act.”
For further details, the Peterson Center on Health Care and KFF offer more insights into how U.S. health care compares globally.