OPNION EDITOR – MARIANA CHAMORRO
ORIGINALLY PRINTED ON MARCH 2, 2023
The public health system in the United States receives criticism for inefficiency and the issue of many people not receiving care. Despite having the world’s highest per capita healthcare spending, the nation ranks poorly in many important health metrics, including life expectancy and infant mortality. The US public health system is not very effective compared to other nations for several reasons. This includes the absence of universal healthcare, the fragmentation of the healthcare system and the focus on treating rather than preventing sickness. According to Dr. Janet Armitage, co-director of the online Public Health certification at St. Mary’s University: “In the US, top public health problems include COVID, the opioid crisis, health inequity, food insecurity, data modernization and privacy, specific illness and diseases, and environmental health.”
Unlike many other nations, the US does not have a socialized healthcare system that covers all citizens. Instead, private insurance firms are primarily responsible for providing healthcare coverage. Many Americans struggle to get inexpensive healthcare and are denied coverage altogether, especially those who are low-income or have pre-existing diseases. The cause for delays in care is a lack of coverage, which can result in avoidable health issues and greater healthcare expenses.
Another important aspect ofthe underwhelming performanceof the US publichealth system is thefragmentation. US healthcare facilitiesinclude hospitals,clinics and doctor’soffices. These facilities frequently run independently of one another. Patients may receive subpar care due to fragmentation because of providers infectively working together. For instance, a patient with several chronic diseases may visit several doctorswho prescribe contradicting drugs, which might result in bad outcomes or negative drug reactions.
The US healthcare system prioritizes illness treatment over illness prevention. Although, the nation has made some strides recently in promoting healthy behaviors; such as lowering smoking rates and boosting physical exercise. Many Americans continue to battle with avoidable illnesses like obesity and diabetes. High demand for expensive medical treatments and procedures stems from the emphasis on treating sickness rather than preventing it, which can raise healthcare costs and increase the prevalence of chronic disease. In Canada, the government covers all of its citizens with a governmental healthcare program. This system prioritizes preventive care through routine examinations and screenings. The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom offers universal coverage and places emphasis on prevention, including public health programs to lower the prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity. Other nations address the fragmentation of health care systems in legislation and adopt solutions to combat it.
The government of Sweden has established an integrated care system where healthcare professionals collaborate to give patients coordinated care. This strategy has proven effective at lowering medical expenses and enhancing health outcomes. Janet Armitage, Co-Director of Online Public Health Certificate, stated that: “Essential to this conversation of best public health systems is the importance of the public health aim: building stronger communities with better health outcomes.” Comparatively, the US public health system is not particularly good. This is includes factors such as the absence of universal healthcare, the fragmentation of the healthcare system and the focus on treating rather than preventing sickness. The nation’s healthcare system requires significant reforms that include the introduction of a universal healthcare system. By solving these problems, the US may increase healthcare access to all citizens.