Even though the US spends the most on healthcare among all rich countries, we are not a very healthy society. What are the causes and consequences of this paradox? Compose a focused paper that explains and describes your healthcare issue or topic from a cultural and ethical perspective of inquiry

Interpreting America’s Healthcare Paradox – Understanding Causes and Consequences

The United States spends more on healthcare than any other high-income nation, yet its citizens have lower life expectancies and higher rates of chronic diseases. This paradox has significant economic and health consequences for individuals, the government, and society. The causes of this paradox include unhealthy lifestyle choices, a fragmented healthcare system, and socioeconomic variables. This essay will explore the causes and consequences of this paradox and discuss potential solutions for addressing the underlying issues in the US healthcare system.

Causes of the Problem

Lifestyle Factors

Poor dietary habits, a lack of exercise, and excessive stress are some examples of unhealthy lifestyle choices made by Americans. Over 70% of adults in the United States were overweight or obese in 2020, which raises the risk of developing several chronic diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Zhou et al., 2023). According to the American Heart Association, only 22.9% of adults meet the federal recommendations for physical activity, and many Americans consume too much-processed food and sugar. Chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be brought on by these lifestyle factors, which can shorten life expectancy and be expensive to cure.

Fragmented Healthcare System

The fragmented healthcare system in the United States, which can result in ineffective and inefficient care, may also contribute to this issue. Unlike most wealthy nations, the United States does not have a universal healthcare system, and many citizens lack access to inexpensive healthcare. Patients may occasionally receive needless or inefficient therapies, which can delay diagnosis and treatments. Furthermore, the American healthcare system frequently follows business interests, which can result in high healthcare costs and unequal access to care. The United States spends roughly twice as much per capita on healthcare as other high-income nations. Still, according to the World Health Organization, it ranks worst among these countries in terms of the performance of their whole health systems.

Additionally, the lack of coordination between healthcare providers and the absence of a universal medical record system in the United States can contribute to fragmented care. Patients may see multiple providers for their medical needs, resulting in confusion, miscommunication, and medical errors. This can lead to higher healthcare costs and lower quality of care, ultimately resulting in poorer health outcomes.

Socioeconomic Variables

Socioeconomic variables, such as poverty, income disparity, and illiteracy, are the third cause. According to Wu & Qi (2022), 34 million Americans were living in poverty in 2019, and during the past few decades, income inequality in the country has been rising. Due to variables including restricted access to wholesome food, secure housing, and medical care, people who live in poverty are more likely to have poor health outcomes, such as increased rates of chronic disease and mortality. Education also plays a significant role in health, as higher education is generally associated with better health outcomes. Additionally, there is a significant racial and ethnic disparity in health outcomes in the United States.

Consequences

The economic burden on individuals and the government is the first consequence of the paradox that the US spends the most on healthcare among all rich countries yet is not a very healthy society. Despite the high expenditure, many Americans are still uninsured or underinsured, with millions facing high out-of-pocket costs for medical care. In 2019, 26.1 million nonelderly Americans were uninsured, and even those with insurance faced significant financial challenges, with nearly one in four Americans reporting difficulty paying medical bills (Ayyala-Somayajula et al., 2023). The high cost of healthcare also has significant implications for the government, with Medicare and Medicaid being the largest components of the federal budget. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, healthcare spending in the US reached $3.8 trillion in 2019, accounting for 17.7% of the country’s GDP. Furthermore, healthcare costs in the US have been rising faster than inflation and are projected to continue to do so. This impacts individuals and the government, as well as businesses that provide healthcare coverage for their employees.

The second consequence of the paradox is the lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic diseases compared to other wealthy nations. Despite spending significantly more on healthcare, the US ranks 43