The U.S. health care system is in a class all its own, according to a new analysis of health system performance in 10 high-income countries—but in a devastating way.
Americans live the sickest lives and die the youngest, per a report by the Commonwealth Fund , an independent health care research firm. Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S.
Health System was published Thursday. The U.S.
came in last in three of five categories—equity, health outcomes, and access to care—in addition to having the poorest overall ranking. The country performed slightly better in administrative efficiency, finishing ninth behind Switzerland. This, despite spending more than any other nation included in the assessment.
“The U.S. is failing one of its principal obligations as a nation: to protect the health and welfare of its people,” Dr.
Joseph Betancourt , president of the Commonwealth Fund, said in a prepared statement . “The status quo—continually spending the most and getting the least for our health care dollars—is not sustainable. It isn’t about lack of resources—it’s clearly about how they are being spent.
” The U.S. excelled only in a category called care process, which considers safety, prevention, coordination, and patient engagement.
Its second-place finish, the report said, “is the result of the successful provision of preventive services, such as mammograms and flu vaccinations , and an emphasis on patient safety.” Mirror, Mirror used data colle.