As the first quarter of 2024 concludes, how are health outcomes shaping up for American healthcare going into the fourth year of the 2020s?
In 2023, The Commonwealth Fund reported that despite increased healthcare expenditure, the US had declining health outcomes compared with other high-income nations.
This observation stems from their US Health Care from a Global Perspective report, utilizing data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and other international sources.
Contrasting health outcomes in the US
The US reportedly spent nearly 18% of its GDP on healthcare, yet Americans are less healthy and die younger than residents of other high-income countries.
For additional context, the US spends three to four times more on healthcare than New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan. Despite this, however, the US had “the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates for avoidable or treatable conditions, and the highest maternal and infant mortality,” revealed the report.
US Health Care expenditure: A closer look
OECD 2023 data shows some striking statistics:
- American life expectancy: 3.9 years below the OECD average
- Preventable mortality: 238 per 100,000 (the OECD average is 158)
- Treatable mortality: 98 per 100,000 (the OECD average is 79)
Understanding mortality data
In 2020, life expectancy at birth in the US was 77 years old, three years lower than the OECD average at the time. However, provisional data suggests that American life expectancy dropped even lower in 2021, noted the Commonwealth Fund.
Other critical data from the 2023 snapshot report includes:
- Alcohol consumption: 9.5 liters per capita (OECD average is 8.6)
- Obesity prevalence: 42.8% (OECD average is 25.7%)
- Smoking prevalence: 8.8% (Lower than the OECD average of 16.0%)
- Deaths from air pollution: 14.5 deaths per 100,000 population (OECD average: 28.9).
Preventable mortality refers to deaths that are avoidable through effective public health measures and individual prevention strategies, such as maintaining a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
Meanwhile, treatable mortality rates improve with timely access to effective healthcare treatments and interventions, including regular checkups and screenings. Nevertheless, the US’ avoidable death rates have been on the rise since 2015, as highlighted in The Commonwealth Fund’s analysis.
Factors Influencing Maternal and Infant Mortality
Infant mortality rates in the US were 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020, significantly higher than countries like Norway, which had only 1.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. Maternal mortality rates were similarly concerning, with about 24 deaths per 100,000 live births in the same year.
Contributing factors include inadequate prenatal care and the prevalence of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.
Considering American health data
As indicated in the 2023 OECD snapshot report, the persistent rates of obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking in the US continue to impact health outcomes negatively. While efforts to curb these behaviors are ongoing, their influence on public health remains significant.
Adopting a healthier lifestyle doesn’t always mean spending more on organic foods. Instead, scientific studies suggest that moderation and portion control can play a crucial role in improving long-term health.
Additionally, avoiding smoking and monitoring environmental factors, like air quality, can also contribute to better health outcomes. As for drinking alcohol, no amount is actually safe for consumption, says The Lancet, debunking what other scientific papers have noted before.
While US health care expenditure continues to climb, the overall improvement in health outcomes remains a critical challenge that requires both policy changes and personal commitment to healthier living.
