Health care around the world

We spend an average of twice the amount as other countries, have lower life expediency then most and much higher obesity rate. Although not listed, I bet our medicines are close to triple in cost of other countries due to FDA rules.

United States

Per capita spending: $8,508

Share of GDP spent on health care: 17.7%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 47.8%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 2.5

Nurses per 1,000 people: 11.1

Life expectancy: 78.7

Smoking rate: 14.8%

Obesity rate: 36.5%

Mexico

In 2000, half of the country had no health insurance, but the country passed a universal health care law a decade ago, creating Seguro Popular, which literally means popular insurance, and has enrolled more than 50 million people.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $977

Share of GDP spent on health care: 6.2%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 47.3%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 2.2

Nurses per 1,000 people: 2.7

Life expectancy: 74.1 years

Smoking rate: Not indicated

Obesity rate: 32.4% (2012)

Italy

All residents are covered for emergency medicine and doctor visits, and the system is primarily funded through taxes. Some services require small copays, and a private system covers services such as dental.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $3,012

Share of GDP spent on health care: 9.2%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 77.8%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 4.1

Nurses per 1,000 people: 6.3

Life expectancy: 82.7 years

Smoking rate: 22.5%

Obesity rate: 10%

Spain

The system offers universal coverage and no out-of-pocket expenses aside from prescription drugs. The system is partially funded through taxes, and services such as dental care are paid out of pocket.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $3,072

Share of GDP spent on health care: 9.3%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 73%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 4.1

Nurses per 1,000 people: 5.5

Life expectancy: 82.4 years

Smoking rate: 23.9%

Obesity rate: 16.6%

Japan

Health care is covered 70% by the government and 30% by the patient. Those without access to insurance through employers can participate in the national health insurance program through local governments. Hospitals are run as nonprofit organizations.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $3,213

Share of GDP spent on health care: 9.6%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 82.1%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 2.2

Nurses per 1,000 people: 10

Life expectancy: 82.7 years

Smoking rate: 20%

Obesity rate: 4.1%

United Kingdom

Universal care is provided to residents, including primary care, mental health and hospitals, with cost-sharing for dental and prescription drugs. Health care is largely funded through taxes.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $3,405

Share of GDP spent on health care: 9.4%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 82.8%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 2.8

Nurses per 1,000 people: 8.6

Life expectancy: 81.1 years

Smoking rate: 19.6% (2010)

Obesity rate: 24.8%

Australia

Medicare, Australia's tax-funded universal health care system, covers most medical care, including prescription drugs. About half of Australians have additional private insurance, which is subsidized by the government and covers services such as dental care and private hospitals.

Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $3,800

Share of GDP spent on health care: 8.9%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 67.8%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 3.3

Nurses per 1,000 people: 10.1

Life expectancy: 82 years

Smoking rate: 15.1% (2010, the latest year available)

Obesity rate: 28.3%

Sweden

The universal public health system is largely funded through taxation. Dental care is included for children under 21, and adult dental care is partially subsidized.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $3,925

Share of GDP spent on health care: 9.5%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 81.6%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 3.9

Nurses per 1,000 people: 11.1

Life expectancy: 81.9 years

Smoking rate: 13.1%

Obesity rate: 11%

Belgium

Universal health care is provided through a public-private partnership, with basic care covered by the government.

Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $4,061

Share of GDP spent on health care: 10.5%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 76%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 2.9

Nurses per 1,000 people: Not indicated

Life expectancy: 80.5 years

Smoking rate: 20.5% (2008)

Obesity rate: 13.8%

France

According the World Health Organization, France provided the best overall health care (publicly funded universal health care) in the world in 2000.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $4,118

Share of GDP spent on health care: 11.6%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 76.8%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 3.3

Nurses per 1,000 people: 8.7

Life expectancy: 82.2 years

Smoking rate: 23.3% (2010)

Obesity rate: 12.9% (2010)

Germany

Since 1883, Germany has had some form of social health insurance. Standard insurance is funded by employee contributions, employer contributions and government subsidies. Some pay a tax to opt out of the standard plan, paying for private insurance based on health status.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $4,495

Share of GDP spent on health care: 11.3%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 76.5%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 3.8

Nurses per 1,000 people: 11.4

Life expectancy: 80.8 years

Smoking rate: 21.9% (2009)

Obesity rate: 14.7% (2009)

Canada

Universal health care is for the most part publicly funded. Canadians are guaranteed access to hospital and physician services, but each province determines whether to cover benefits such as dental care and drug coverage. Many Canadians purchase supplemental insurance or have an employer-sponsored policy to cover these things.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $4,522

Share of GDP spent on health care: 11.2%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 70%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 2.4

Nurses per 1,000 people: 9.3

Life expectancy: 81 years

Smoking rate: 15.7%

Obesity rate: 25.4%

Austria

Residents receive universal publicly funded care, but have the option to purchase supplemental private insurance. Some people opt to pay for all health care privately.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $4,546

Share of GDP spent on health care: 10.8%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 76.2%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 4.8

Nurses per 1,000 people: 7.8

Life expectancy: 81.1 years

Smoking rate: 23.2% (2006, the latest year available)

Obesity rate: 12.4%

Switzerland

Basic health insurance is mandatory, and insurers are required to offer insurance to everyone and are not allowed to make a profit from basic insurance (but can profit on supplemental plans for dental or other services). Low-income individuals receive government subsidies to help pay for coverage.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $5,643

Share of GDP spent on health care: 11%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 65%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 3.8

Nurses per 1,000 people: 16.6

Life expectancy: 82.8 years

Smoking rate: 20.4% (2007)

Obesity rate: 8.1% (2007)

Norway

A universal public health system is paid for largely through taxation. It does not include dental coverage.



Per capita spending (in U.S. dollars): $5,669

Share of GDP spent on health care: 9.3%

Share of health care that is publicly funded: 85%

Doctors per 1,000 people: 3.7

Nurses per 1,000 people: 12.9

Life expectancy: 81.4 years

Smoking rate: 17%

Obesity rate: 10% (2008)

http://money.msn.com/health-and-life...e-us-stacks-up

My elderly mother got sick while on a round the world trip.

She was diagnosed here in Fiji (a third world country with socialised medicine but minimal diagnostic resources) for the equivalent of US$35, and given appropriate medication.

She then went to my sister's in the USA where she went for a second opinion. After US$4,000 worth of tests, same diagnosis, same medication....