What are some misguided beliefs about the American health care system?
Responses
cristinacrivelli
Many people believe that American healthcare ranks #37 in the world, however, this statistic comes from a methodologically flawed study. Although it may seem that infant mortality is higher in the US than in peer countries, this is actually due to large numbers of premature births as well as strict recording of these births. In addition, life expectancy is often cited as an indictment of our healthcare system. However, life expectancy is based on a number of factors that have nothing to do with healthcare (e.g. population heterogeneity, social and environmental conditions, etc.). In addition, the US does comparatively well in treating one common chronic disease (hypertension), and is responsible for the vast majority of healthcare innovation.
Responses
Many people believe that American healthcare ranks #37 in the world, however, this statistic comes from a methodologically flawed study. Although it may seem that infant mortality is higher in the US than in peer countries, this is actually due to large numbers of premature births as well as strict recording of these births. In addition, life expectancy is often cited as an indictment of our healthcare system. However, life expectancy is based on a number of factors that have nothing to do with healthcare (e.g. population heterogeneity, social and environmental conditions, etc.). In addition, the US does comparatively well in treating one common chronic disease (hypertension), and is responsible for the vast majority of healthcare innovation.