A new report from the Commonwealth Fund revealed that the U.S. health care system ranks last among 10 high-income countries. The study indicates that the U.S. is falling short compared to other developed nations, with people in the U.S. experiencing the youngest mortality rates and the highest number of avoidable deaths. This occurs despite the U.S. spending nearly twice as much on health care compared to the other countries surveyed.
The study, based on surveys of thousands of primary care physicians and residents over the past three years, evaluated the U.S. alongside Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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The U.S. ranked last or near last in all categories except for one — “care processes,” where it ranked second behind New Zealand. This category measured the availability of preventive services, such as mammograms and flu vaccinations.
However, the report highlighted several shortcomings in the U.S. health care system. The U.S. ranked last in preventing deaths and access to health care, a situation attributed to high costs. The study also noted a lack of quality treatment for everyone, regardless of income or geographic location. Additionally, the U.S. has the highest rate of avoidable deaths among these ten nations.
As election day approaches, health care remains a top issue for voters, although it often ranks behind concerns related to the economy, inflation, and immigration. According to KFF, a health policy research group, many Americans consider health care a component of their economic concerns.
