In the United States, the healthcare system emphasizes health promotion, wellness, and prevention as a strategy to improve population health and lower per capita spending. Around the world, however, healthcare systems vary considerably in terms of cost, quality, and provisions. For this Assignment, you explore the World Health Organization website and research healthcare in the United States and another country of your choice.
To prepare for this Assignment, review the World Health Organization website in this week's Learning Resources. Research healthcare disparities between the United States and another country of your choice. Compare economic policies for health promotion, wellness, and prevention programs in the United States and the country you selected. How are they different? What is the economic motivation for each? Analyze implications of these economic policies and disparities. How does this relate to volume-based versus value-based healthcare? Consider the policies from the country you selected and analyze how you might implement them in the United States (macro) and in your own state (micro). Evaluate the influence of U.S. market conditions on the provision of healthcare.
Note: If you are an international student, reflect on how you might implement the policies from the country you selected into your own country and/or region.
The Assignment
In a 2- to 4-page paper, address the following:
• Compare the economic policies for health promotion, wellness, and prevention programs in the United States and the country you selected. Include differences in approaches to wellness and prevention.
• Analyze implications of these policies and disparities.
• Consider the policies from the country you selected and analyze how you might implement them in the United States and in your own state. Evaluate the influence of U.S. market conditions on the provision of healthcare.
• Davis, K., Stremikis, K., Squires, D., & Shoen, C. (2014). 2014 update: Mirror, mirror on the wall: How the performance of the U.S. health care system compares internationally. Washington, D.C.: The Commonwealth Fund. Retrieved from
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/fund-report/2014/jun/1755_davis_mirror_mirror_2014.pdf
2014 Update: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: How the Performance of the U.S. Health Care System Compares Internationally by Davis, K.; Stremikis, K.; Squires, D.; Schoen, C. Copyright 2014 by The Commonwealth Fund. Reprinted by permission of The Commonwealth Fund via the Copyright Clearance Center.
• World Health Organization. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/en/
Media
• IFEBP. (Producer). (2012). What is value-based health care? [Video file] Retrieved September 13, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZG4oWbDfQ
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
• Porter, M. (Producer). (2012). Michael Porter on paving the way for the value-based health care [Video file]. Retrieved September 13, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXecsdrQ-YI