Healthcare Spending in U.S. Double That of Comparable High-Income Countries

The U.S. spends on health care A new report shows that this is nearly twice the average income in high-income countries. 

The data from The Commonwealth Fund found that in 2021 the U.S. spent 17.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) on health care — nearly twice as much as the average Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country.

Furthermore, health care spending per capita The U.S. had a three to four-fold higher rate of unemployment than countries like South Korea and New Zealand.

Data from the OECD Health Statistics 2022 and the Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey 2022 were used in the study.

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Dr. Christian Hinrichs (R), an Investigator at the National Cancer Institute in immunotherapy of HPV+ cancers shows Fred Janick (a survivor) the difference between his CT scan showing tumors (R), and a clean scan (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The researchers also found that the U.S. has The lowest life expectancy is at birthThe highest infant and maternal mortality rates and death rates due to preventable or treatable diseases. The highest number of people living with multiple chronic conditions, and almost 43% obesity rate is found in this country.

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Americans see doctors less often than other people and have one of the lowest rates for hospital beds and physicians per 1,000 inhabitants.

According to the report, the U.S. is not the only country with high income. There is no universal health insuranceNoting that the system is “can seem designed to discourage people from using services.” 

Dr. Jay Itzkowitz is the head of the emergency department. Margaret Puya, RN, joined the new Trauma Unit at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, New York on January 26, 2023.  (Hoard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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“Americans are living shorter, less healthy lives because our health system is not working as well as it could be,” Munira Gunja, the report’s lead author and senior researcher for the Commonwealth Fund’s International Program in Health Policy and Practice Innovations, said in a release. “To catch up with other high-income countries, the administration and Congress would have to expand access to health care, act aggressively to control costs and invest in health equity and social services we know can lead to a healthier population.”

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