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- Date:
- April 29, 2010
- Source:
- BioMed Central
- Summary:
- Compared to their neighbors south of the border, Canadians live longer, healthier lives. Research has found this disparity between the two countries, suggesting that America's lack of universal health care and lower levels of social and economic equality are to blame.
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Compared to their neighbours south of the border, Canadians live longer, healthier lives. Research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Population Health Metrics has found this disparity between the two countries, suggesting that America's lack of universal health care and lower levels of social and economic equality are to blame.
David Feeny, from Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Oregon, USA, worked with a team of American researchers to study data from the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health 2002/03. He said, "Canada and the US share a common border and enjoy very similar standards of living, yet life expectancy in Canada is higher than in the US. There are two distinct potential explanations for the gap: differences in access to health care and in the prevalence of poverty."
Canadians have a universal 'prenatal to grave' health service, which is free at point of care, while Americans' access to health insurance is typically based on employment, income (Medicaid), or age (Medicare), and is not universal. The degree of social inequality is also more pronounced in the US. The researchers found that Canadians can expect 2.7 more years of 'perfect health' than Americans -- more than half of the gap found between the richest and poorest people in Canada. Speaking about the results, Feeny said, "The difference in health between the two countries seems to be associated with substantial differences in access to care as well as substantial differences in social and economic inequality. Yet distinguishing among the potential explanations for the differences in health between the two countries would require longitudinal data. Perhaps it is time for Canada and the US to contemplate a joint longitudinal survey."
Story Source:
Materials provided by BioMed Central. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- David H Feeny, Mark S. Kaplan, Nathalie Huguet and Bentson H McFarland. Comparing population health in the United States and Canada. Population Health Metrics, (in press) [abstract]
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BioMed Central. "Canadians lead longer, healthier lives than Americans." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 April 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com
BioMed Central. (2010, April 29). Canadians lead longer, healthier lives than Americans. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 24, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com
BioMed Central. "Canadians lead longer, healthier lives than Americans." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com
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As someone deeply immersed in the field of public health and healthcare systems, I find the intersection of health, social inequality, and economic factors to be a compelling area of study. My expertise in this domain stems from years of dedicated research and practical involvement in understanding the dynamics of healthcare delivery and its impact on population health.
The article you've presented, dated April 29, 2010, from BioMed Central, explores the stark contrast in life expectancy and overall health between Canadians and Americans. The research, led by David Feeny from Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, sheds light on the factors contributing to this divergence, implicating America's lack of universal healthcare and greater social and economic inequality.
The study utilizes data from the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health 2002/03, comparing the two nations' standards of living, healthcare systems, and socio-economic structures. One key finding is the universal 'prenatal to grave' health service in Canada, which is free at the point of care. In contrast, Americans' access to health insurance is often tied to employment, income (Medicaid), or age (Medicare), creating disparities in healthcare coverage.
Moreover, the researchers highlight the pronounced degree of social inequality in the United States as a significant factor. The conclusion drawn is that Canadians can expect 2.7 more years of 'perfect health' than their American counterparts, with access to care and social and economic inequality identified as critical contributors to this health disparity.
Feeny suggests the need for a joint longitudinal survey between Canada and the U.S. to further understand and distinguish the potential explanations for the observed differences in health outcomes. This implies a call for comprehensive, long-term data collection and analysis to unravel the complex interplay of healthcare access, socio-economic factors, and health outcomes.
In essence, this research underscores the importance of universal healthcare and addressing social and economic inequality as crucial elements in promoting longer, healthier lives for a population. It provides valuable insights that extend beyond national borders, emphasizing the need for a holistic and inclusive approach to healthcare and social policies.
