Review of the Literature: Causes Behind Health Outcome Differentials Among First World Countries

Abstract

This paper explores disparities in healthcare outcomes among high-income countries, focusing on the U.S., which, despite its wealth and advanced technology, suffers from high costs and relatively poor health outcomes compared to other high-income nations. In 2021, the U.S. spent around 17.8% of its GDP on healthcare, significantly more than its OECD counterparts. This research investigates the causes of these health outcome differences, focusing on baseline health factors and healthcare system structures. It examines lifestyle factors such as obesity and physical activity, as well as the relevance of "Deaths of Despair," a term for deaths from drug overdoses, alcohol-related liver disease, and suicide, which are alarmingly high in the U.S. It compares different healthcare models in OECD countries, emphasizing the U.S.'s mix of high costs and private sector dominance. The findings point to the need for significant reforms in the U.S. healthcare system to address disparities and improve efficiency. This paper aims to examine the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and provide insights into potential paths to achieve better health outcomes.