Nearly 14 million people in America owe more than $1,000 in medical debt, according to a new study.
Released as part of a new analysis, researchers found that, overall, nearly $220 billion is owed in medical debt across all states because of the country’s health care system.
Here are some of the five best (and five that need improvement) healthcare systems around the world.
Best: Denmark
In Denmark, all residents, including asylum-seekers, are given access to free health care. Through the nationwide public government-funded healthcare system, Danish citizens are given access to mental health care, long-term care, hospital care, primary care, specialist care, as well as dental services for all children below the age of 18.
Any adult dental care, physiotherapy and prescription drugs are partially covered with out-of-pocket spending only accounting for approximately 14% of total health costs as of 2016. Overall, the life expectancy for residents is approximately 81.5 years – more than the measured average reported by the OECD – as 81% of the citizens reported that they were satisfied with their healthcare.
Best: Belgium
Overall, approximately 90% of Belgium citizens are satisfied with their health care and access to medical professionals with only 1.7% of residents reporting that they felt their needs weren’t met. According to the OCED, the life expectancy was higher than the recorded average, totaling up to 81.9 years. Both preventable and treatable mortality was found to be lower than the average. Considered one of the top ten best healthcare systems in the world, Belgium offers both universal and private healthcare.
Best: Spain:
Ranked seventh in the latest data provided by WHO back in 2000, Spain has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. According to a report by the European Union, their free healthcare system, which is funded by taxes, has lower mortality rates from preventable and treatable diseases than the averages across the continent.
Approximately 113 deaths per every 100,000 people are recorded when it comes to preventable causes and 65 deaths per every 100,000 citizens when it comes to treatable causes; both rates are lower than the average rates recorded by the EU. Lower rates of hospital admissions as a result of heart disease and diabetes also make the country one of the healthiest countries in Europe.
Best: Japan
Created in 1961, Japan’s universal health care has no restrictions, giving both resident noncitizens and citizens coverage. More than 3,000 insurance funds are split into three plans, including employer-based health insurance and resident-based National Health Insurance.
Also known as NHI, the National Health Insurance provides unemployed and self-employed residents with a health plan. A health insurance plan is also available for people 75 and over to help with the costs of growing older. Copayments are the same for all three plans with people over 70 with low income paying 10% of copayment.
Best: Norway
As of 2022, the state-run healthcare system of Norway pays for about $8,637 per every citizen in healthcare, totaling up to approximately $47 billion in health insurance payments. Overall, the government covers about 85% of all medical costs.
For out-of-pocket payments, no citizen pays more than $250 U.S. dollars for health services each year. National health care covers primary care, hospital care, mental health care, rehab, prescription drugs, preventive services, maternity care, medical equipment as well as dental care for children up to 18 and for those with chronic diseases.
Worst: Albania
Per the Euro Health Consumer Index, in their latest report from 2018, Albania was ranked last in all of Europe’s healthcare systems, drawing in a total score of 544. The country ranked particularly low in its range of services and patient rights. Issues in their healthcare system have yet to be solved, as a 2022 ILO study reported that the elderly, in particular, are in need of affordable and quality care services. According to the ILO, at least 91,000 elderly people in Albania will need long-term care as the population continues to age.
As of now, less than 2% are getting the long-term care they need.
Worst: Liberia
According to the World Health Organization, Liberia has one of the most fragile health infrastructures in the world. In 2008, only a reported 51 doctors were available to serve the country’s population of 3.7 million citizens. After the Ebola crisis, the amount of health services increased, bringing the healthcare coverage rate to about 49% of the population of the country.
While there are many contributors to the lack of a state-funded healthcare system in Liberia, the country has been marred by a variety of civil wars that have affected the development of the country. From 1989 to 2003, Liberia was left with numerous human rights issues from the infighting in the country that left 150,000 to 250,000 men, women and children dead.
On December 24, 1989, the First Civil War consisted of the government fighting with the rebel group National Patriotic Front of Liberia; the war eventually ended in an overthrowment of the government by leader Charles Taylor. From 1997 to 2003, other rebel groups emerged into power, including the Movement for Democracy in Liberia, who successfully overthrew Taylor from his seat. The civil wars left the national economy in shambles.
Worst: Haiti
Although there have been reported improvements, Haiti records some of the worst rates when it comes to health systems. According to the latest stats report by USAID, nearly 40% of the country’s population doesn’t have the ability to receive health and nutrition services. Approximately six health professionals are available for every 10,000 citizens in the country. A majority of the funding for health services provided by the Government of Haiti comes from international funding, which is often too low, along with additional out-of-pocket costs.
Per USAID, the health system of Haiti is in its state because of a variety of natural disasters, including the 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, that have perpetuated existing issues in the system.
Considered to be one of the worst natural disasters in history, the 2010 7.0 magnitude earthquake left approximately 220,000 citizens dead with an additional 300,000 injured. Approximately 100,000 people were displaced. The country was once again hit hard with a category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Matthew ruined numerous health facilities and created a humanitarian crisis that left 1.4 million people in need.
Worst: Nigeria
Nigeria is reportedly one of the countries that are most underdeveloped when it comes to the health system. Per the International Trade Administration, although the country has one of the fastest growing populations with an approximate 3.2% increase each year, Nigeria has less than half of the doctors it needs; only 35,000 doctors out of a needed 237,000 doctors are available. Of these doctors, however, they’re considered amongst the best personnel in Africa.
A variety of issues contribute to this lack of access to medical professionals, including low budgets from the government. As a country, Nigeria faces some of the slowest economic growth with more than half of the residents living on less than $1.90 each day. With the lack of economic funds, many students who go into the medical profession are unable to find jobs, and many other physicians are forced to emigrate.
Worst: The United States
The U.S. has amongst the worst healthcare systems in the world, recording the “worst health outcomes of any high-income nation,” according to the Commonwealth Fund. Overall, U.S. citizens have a shorter average life span and are more likely to pass away from illnesses that could’ve been prevented.
Shorter life expectancies at birth, high mortality rates amongst mothers and infants as well as higher suicide rates reveal deeper issues in the health system. Currently, the U.S. offers no universal or free health care. Despite spending nearly $4.5 trillion in total, most Americans with coverage are paying for their insurance with nearly half of all adults reporting they have a difficult time affording health care.
With the higher expenses in the form of out-of-pocket prescription costs, U.S. residents are now tending to avoid going to the doctors and seeing physicians at a lower rate than residents of any other country.
