Health Status and Health Care Services Canada vs the United States - Essay Example

Health Status and Healthcare Services: Canada v. United s Health Status and Health Care Services: Canada v. United s Introduction The advancement in technology has no doubt had a positive influence on the world of healthcare and medicine, as some of the chronic diseases can presently be controlled thereby prolonging the lives of the patients. Nonetheless, the stakeholders in the departments of health in various countries have an integral role to play given that some of the policies they enact determine whether the citizens of that particular nation can access and afford the healthcare services. The United States healthcare system has often been described as the most expensive in the world, as the Federal Government spends more on health than any other developed nation. At the same time, the health system in Canada has customarily been celebrated as one of the best globally, as it focuses on ensuring universal health coverage, thereby prioritizing those in need of health services to those who can pay (NCHS, 2004). This project aims to provide more insight on the status of healthcare in both the United States and Canada, particularly by looking at the similarities and differences between the two organizations, as well as their accessibility, affordability, and availability. Similarities and Differences Population Demographics Demographic Characteristics: Several surveys carried out in the past have reported that whites are healthier in both the United States and Canada than any other population. This hypothesis is essentially because a substantial percentage of whites have access to decent health coverage as compared to minority populations in both nations (WHO, 2005). Additionally, the fact that the minority populations in both nations tend to suffer and die from chronic conditions corroborates this proposition. Concerning gender, it has been ascertained that women in both USA and Canada are healthier than their male counterparts partly because they tend to take great care of themselves and that they have healthy habits given that they control the amount of products such as alcohol and nicotine they consume. In like manner, it has been established that married couples in both countries are healthy than the divorced and widowed (WHO, 2005). This can majorly be attributed to the fact that couples often look out for each other. High income earners in both the United States and Canada are often considered healthier than the low income earners, as they can easily sign up for health covers that come in handy in ensuring that they seek medical attention on a regular basis. Infant mortality data and causes: It is imperative to note that infant mortality is low in both USA and Canada, suggesting that both nations have undeniably upgraded their health systems based on the progress in medicine and the changes within the society (CDC, 2012). At the same time, it is vital to note that complications that arise during prenatal period as well as both congenital deformations and malformations have been singled out as some of the factors that bring about infant mortality. Quality of life: Whereas research has overtime pointed out that the income of an ordinary American is slightly above that of a regular Canadian, the latter routinely have a quality life and often live two to three years longer than the former (OECD, 2008). This can majorly be attributed to the fact that the Canadian society has focused on improving its social conditions and at the same time implemented public health prevention and health promotion measures that have significantly reduced the incidence of chronic and acute illnesses. Availability of Health Services Care Institution Descriptions: Given that both USA and Canada are developed nations, it is imperative to note that both nations have significantly invested in putting up and equipping healthcare facilities. Nonetheless, the United States has an added advantage in that it has more advanced medical equipment than Canada. Access to care services: According to input from a joint health survey between Canada and the United States, the health status of both nations is similar but income related health disparities exist. The survey established that Americans who exist in the humblest income quintile are likely to have underprivileged health than their Canadian colleagues. Even so, the discrepancy does not exist among rich Canadians and American high-income earners (OECD, 2008). The inequality among the low-income earners is majorly for the reason that Canadians have access to physicians and medical amenities predominantly due to the publicly funded healthcare system present within their country. On the other hand, most American inhabitants require private cover. Utilization of care services: In as much as both the Canadian and the United States governments through their departments of health operate several health facilities that offer high quality services, inhabitants of both nations have tended to seek the services of personal physicians (OECD, 2008). This inclination is attributed to the fact that people prefer being attended to by health workers who they are well acquainted with, instead of the new faces who are present at community facilities. Expenditure Health Services Payment: Many Canadians do not spend substantial amount of their own money in paying for the health services they receive. This is attributed to the fact that the nation has put up reliable platforms in Medicare and Medicaid, which enable most of the citizens to acquire health services at rather affordable prices. The situation is similar in the United States, where Obamacare has played a huge role in reducing the amount of money Americans spend on their health (CDC, 2013). That notwithstanding, it is vital to note that American citizens used to spend considerable amount of their own money before the enactment of the Obama health policy. Total Expenditure Data: As mentioned in the introduction, the US healthcare is the most expensive given that the nation spends 17.6% of its GDP on health related issues. Nevertheless, American families still spend $8200 on each member as compared to $4100, which Canadian families use. Macro-environmental Issues Political: Stakeholders in the field of health have overtime reaffirmed that politics has played an integral role in defining the health status of the two nations. The Canadian system for example, has severally been described as a work in progress since initiation: notably because it has constantly focused on reforms within the last four decades, an event that has resulted in universal coverage that the citizens enjoy today (CDC, 2013). The US healthcare system has similarly been influenced by politics given the policies that have been implemented. It is on the other hand unfortunate that the cost of healthcare is still high. Cultural: Whereas both the US and Canadian governments have done extremely well to provide high quality health services to their inhabitants, it is unfortunate that some cultural beliefs prevent specific populations from seeking medical attention (WHO, 2005). This has often proved disastrous, as sections of the people have lost their lives and epidemics have occurred in some instances. It would be imperative therefore if people across all cultural divide embraced the healthcare systems on offer. Socioeconomic: As highlighted in the section above, it is apparent that the high cost of healthcare in the United States is preventing the low-income earners from regularly seeking medical attention. Consequently, they end up with low immunity and deteriorated health. On the other hand, their Canadian counterparts have an edge given the universal coverage in place within their country (WHO, 2005). Similarly, it is important to note that the social setting within which an individual exists plays a significant role in determining his or her health. The Canadian population generally has an improved health system, which can partly be attributed to the social conditions within which they live. Technological: It goes without doubt that technology has positively influenced the health status of both Canadians and Americans. This is essentially because health experts are now better placed to handle several chronic illnesses including diabetes, which can comfortably be controlled by performing islet of langerhern cell transplants instead of regular insulin shots (CDC, 2012). Nevertheless, it is important to note that Canada still lags behind when it comes to adopting some forms of advanced technology. Consequently, it is imperative for the nation to embrace some of the methodologies that the United States has so far employed. Summary Problems: Whereas both Canada and the US have invested heavily towards ensuring that their healthcare systems deliver high quality services, studies carried out in the past have established that both systems still have some ends to fix. A section of Canadian inhabitants have over the past raised concerns that their healthcare system is not patient centered as it appears to be, given that some patients feel that they are loosely connected to the healthcare workstations. Similarly, concerns have been raised that in as much as the public has played a key role in funding the system, that act has in a way prevented them from investing in other fields, which would have made them more evenhanded. As highlighted above, the major problem facing the US health system is its cost, particularly because families still need to part with a substantial amount of money while seeking medical services. In addition, the system has faced great challenges due to its ageing population, as well as rise in chronic illnesses, which is taking tall on the a large percentage of their citizens. Opportunities: Amidst some of the challenges highlighted, the fact that the Canadian government has in the past few years increased the amount of money allocated to health undeniably points to a future full of hope for the inhabitants. The enactment of the Obamacare health policy has in the same way improved healthcare accessibility among citizens of the US. It is a strong indication that with time the low-income earners will find it easy to access medical services. Conclusion Many citizens across both nations share the ideology that both their administrations should prioritize health given that it comes in handy in determining the overall well-being of the populations. At the same time, it would be prejudicial not to acknowledge the kind of steps both nations have made regarding their health systems. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the Canadian health system is better compared to the United States. This is particularly because Canadians have better access to medical services and at the same time spend less of their own resources. On the other hand, many inconsistencies exist within the American system an element that is corroborated by the fact that families still need to spend more on health. To conclude, it is important for both nations to continue adopting policies that enable their citizens to have easy access to health services at a lower cost. As such strategies would significantly contribute towards ensuring the well-being of the two nations. References CDC. (2012). Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Project (CORD). Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/researchproject.html CDC. (2013). More women getting Pap tests as recommended. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p0103_pap_test.html National Center for Health Statistics Web site. (2004). Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health, 2002–03. 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