HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD: Issues and Concepts

1
HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD Issues and
Concepts

• James G. Anderson, Ph.D.
• Purdue University

2
Global Health-Related Dilemmas

• Health status is at the core of quality of life
• Health care is among the largest economic
  activity in every advanced nation
• The cost of financing health care influences
  productivity
• All countries are engaged in health care reform

3
Health-Related Social Challenges

• Population increases in developing countries
• Aging populations in developed countries
• Poverty
• Epidemics (HIV/AIDS)
• Ethical dilemmas

4
Influences on Health and Health Care Delivery

• Physical environment
• History, culture, customs
• Political system
• Economic system

5
Challenges to National Health Care Systems

• What are the cost-related and ethical limits on
  technological and innovation in health care?
• How do we control overspecialization in physician
  services?
• How do we balance Western medicine and
  traditional medicine?
• How do we serve both rural and urban populations?
  
• What are the implications of globalization?

6
An International Agenda

• Teach populations health status is affected by
  many factors (e.g., life style, environment,
  etc.)
• Refocus health care toward prevention
• Refocus medical education
• Foster international cooperation
• Invest in world-wide efforts

7
The Value of International Comparisons

• Understand and appreciate common health care
  problems
• Understand the relationship between
  characteristics of the health care delivery
  system and health status outcomes
• Understand the impact of mental illness in
  different cultures
• Compare strategies for reforming and improving
  the health care system