Comparing health and health care use in Canada and the United States.
Results from the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health (2002-2003) reveal that health status is relatively similar in the two countries, but income-related health disparities exist. Americans in the poorest income quintile are more likely to have poor health than their Canadian counterparts; there were no differences between the rich. In general, Canadians were more like insured Americans regarding access to services, and Canadians experienced fewer unmet needs overall. Despite higher U.S. levels of spending on health care, residents in the two countries have similar health status and access to care, although there are higher levels of inequality in the United States.
Sanmartin
Claudia
C
Health Analysis and Measurement Group (HAMG), Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Claudia.Sanmartin@statcan.ca
Berthelot
Jean-Marie
JM
Ng
Edward
E
Murphy
Kellie
K
Blackwell
Debra L
DL
Gentleman
Jane F
JF
Martinez
Michael E
ME
Simile
Catherine M
CM
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology