International Comparisons in Underserved Health: Issues, Policies, Needs and Projections.
Health care globally has made great strides; for example, there are lower rates of infant and maternal mortality. Increased incomes have led to lower rates of diseases accompanying poverty and hunger. There has been a shift away from the infectious diseases so deadly in developing nations toward first-world conditions. This article presents health care statistics across age groups and geographic areas to help the primary care physician understand these changes. There is a special focus on underserved populations. New technologies in health and health care spending internationally are addressed, emphasizing universal health care. The article concludes with recommendations for the future.
Global Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2210, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Paul
P
Hutchinson
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr D. B. Todd Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA. Electronic address: morellivincent@yahoo.com.
Vincent
V
Morelli
D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
Global health care statistics; Health care spending; Health care technology; International health care; Universal health care