US Healthcare Ranks Last Among Developed Countries: Report
TL/DR –
The US healthcare system has the worst performance among the world’s wealthy nations, according to a report by The Commonwealth Fund. Even though the US spends the most on healthcare, Americans have the shortest lives and face the most avoidable deaths out of the 10 developed countries included in the study. The report suggests that the US could improve its healthcare by extending coverage, investing in primary care providers, removing health inequities, curbing healthcare system consolidation, and addressing social health determinants like poverty and homelessness.
US Healthcare System Trails Wealthy Nations despite High Spending, Report Reveals
Despite significant healthcare spending, Americans experience the earliest deaths and poorest health among ten developed countries, according to a new report by The Commonwealth Fund.
The annual report, “Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System“, ranks Australia, the Netherlands, and Britain highest among the ten studied nations.
The comprehensive report analyzed 70 specific measures across five performance areas, comparing the United States’ healthcare system with those of Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland. The United States displayed the shortest lives and the most avoidable deaths, ranking last in five out of six health outcome measures.
The study reveals significant barriers to healthcare access in America: about 25 million people remain uninsured, and nearly a quarter can’t afford care when needed. The US ranks lowest in health equity, with considerable disparity in healthcare access among low-income groups. The complex administrative burdens related to payment, billing, and paperwork further exacerbate the inefficiencies of the US healthcare system.
However, the report acknowledges the US’s strength in “care process,” which includes prevention, safety, and patient engagement. The Affordable Care Act‘s focus on patient safety and preventive services partly explains the high ranking.
The report suggests that the US can improve its healthcare system by extending coverage to the remaining uninsured, investing in primary care providers, eliminating health inequities, controlling consolidation of healthcare systems, and addressing social drivers of health like poverty and substance use.
For more insights into the comparative performance of US healthcare, visit The Peterson Center on Health Care and KFF.
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