title: U.S. health care from a global perspective: spending, use of services, prices, and health in 13 countries.
abstract: This analysis draws upon data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and other cross-national analyses to compare health care spending, supply, utilization, prices, and health outcomes across 13 high-income countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These data predate the major insurance provisions of the Affordable Care Act. In 2013, the U.S. spent far more on health care than these other countries. Higher spending appeared to be largely driven by greater use of medical technology and higher health care prices, rather than more frequent doctor visits or hospital admissions. In contrast, U.S. spending on social services made up a relatively small share of the economy relative to other countries. Despite spending more on health care, Americans had poor health outcomes, including shorter life expectancy and greater prevalence of chronic conditions.
authors.affiliation: The Commonwealth Fund. ds@cmwf.org
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Squires
authors.forename: Chloe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D001509:Bed Occupancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005382:Financing, Personal; D005544:Forecasting; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012947:Social Work / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States