Comparing Health Status and Health Care Services in France with That in the United StatesEssay Preview: Comparing Health Status and Health Care Services in France with That in the United StatesReport this essayExecutive SummaryThe objectives of any healthcare system are versatile and complicated in todays ever-changing world. This paper provides an overview of the health care systems in France and the United States, while comparing the two and assessing the achievements, the problems and the reforms, besides bringing forth the lessons that the United States needs to learn from France.
The World Health Organization, after assessing the health outcomes of people from 191 countries, ranked France at number 1 and the United States at number 37 among these countries (Shapiro, 2008). However, some researchers were not satisfied and restudied 19 industrialized countries, but the results again declared France as the first and the Unites States at the bottom of all developed countries in terms of delivery of health care services. The French citizens consider their health care system to be the best in the world, while most of the Americans are not satisfied with the affordability and availability of healthcare. What is surprising is that though the United States spends large sums on healthcare, it is still delivering such disappointing results. On the other hand, France demonstrates that remarkable results can be delivered with a mix of public and private financing. “The United States spends about twice as much as France on health care. In 2005, U.S. spending came to $6,400 per person. In France, it was $3,300” (Shapiro, 2008). The French health insurance offers universal coverage with a public-private mix of hospital and ambulatory care, more resources, and wide access to comprehensive health services. With special care for mothers and infants, France has significantly low maternal and infant mortality rates. This paper provides an overview of the health care systems in France and the United States, while comparing the two and assessing the achievements, the problems and the reforms, besides bringing forth the lessons that the United States needs to learn from France.
According to 2012 estimates, the population of the USA is 313,847,465 (United States, 2012). On the other hand, the population of France is 65,630,692 (France, 2012). In France, the average life expectancy at birth is 81.46 years, three years more than that in the USA (France, 2012). France has far more hospital beds – 8.4 per 1,000 people as compared to only 3.6 per 1,000 people in the United States of America (Nation Master, 2012). Even the number of doctors available per capita in France is more than that in America. Prenatal and early childhood care is exceptional in France due to patient-focused health care system existing since 1945.
The organization of health care in France is typically presented as being rooted in the principles of liberalism and pluralism. The principle of liberalism includes selection of the physician by the patient, freedom for physicians to practice wherever they choose, clinical freedom for the doctor, and professional confidentiality. The French tolerance for organizational diversity contributes toward pluralism. The healthcare system is a widespread network providing extra care to the mothers and infants, and involving the efforts of pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, and midwives. Even the social workers are sent to houses when children are not regularly brought for checkups.
Infant mortality rate in France is 3.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in contrast to 6 deaths per 1,000 live births in the USA (France, 2012). At the same time, more abortions take place in the United States. The difference in rates of death from respiratory diseases, diabetes, and heart diseases is also striking, with Frances being very low. In France, while 39.8 per 100,000 people die due to a heart disease, in the U.S., the figure is as high as 106 (Nation Master, 2012). In case of cancer, while 286 French deaths occur per 100,000 people, 322 Americans die per 100,000 people (Nation Master, 2012). In fact, France has the lowest death rate from ailments that could probably have been prevented by proper healthcare. Other major causes of deaths are motor vehicle accidents and suicides.
The prevalence of cancer among America’s young people is the second most common cause of death in the world after the deaths of children (<7). Of all countries examined, France is a strong strong partner of developing developed countries and has the highest incidence of cancer among young people. Fatalities are associated with a variety of lifestyle factors, including high physical activity and diet, consumption of alcohol or drugs, overweight, overweight status, and smoking. France has a high proportion of men and a high proportion of women. France has a population of around 1.4 billion people (France D'Espresso, 2015). This is about two-thirds of the world's population and is also one of the top five countries, except for China. In addition, France has great natural resources. The French have a natural gas and oil revenues of about US$1 billion per year and are one of the most liberal oil exporters. France is also an oil-free country and is not subject to the Kyoto Protocol. The level of food safety in the French Republic is high, but more is expected over the future. France also has more natural gas reserves than any other country in the world. In 2013, the country announced the implementation of the "Plan of Action for Sustainable and Efficient Natural Gas Distribution System: France", which allows for free access to natural gas from the Bakken and Bakken shale production zones, as well as the development of hydro and gas pipelines on French territory. There are a variety of natural gas and oil reserves in France with varying levels of production and storage or distribution (France National Petroleum Station, 2012). The French are the largest producer of hydrocarbon fuels. The country has a great natural gas network and a great natural gas resource such as gas and coal. France is also a great source of natural coal, which is the main natural resource of the world. There is also vast natural gas in the world. Countries with greater than 25% of the world's natural gas reserves include the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Iceland, Denmark/Sweden, Russia/Switzerland, India, Australia, China, Israel, Italy, France, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, the European Economic Area, and Belgium. The number of deaths due to fatal cancers in France is much smaller than that of other countries. In general the French are the most common cancer killer (United Nations Institute for Cancer Research, 2000). The number of deaths due to major injuries caused by men is high, although fatalities are usually less severe. Fatalities are slightly less common in certain medical conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and myocardial infarction, such as myocardial infarction, as well as in children aged 6 months or more. The French have the highest number of deaths of males aged 15 to 18 years in the European Union (The Statistical Year Book, 2011). Furthermore, in many European countries, the rate of death from cancer is higher than in the USA (United Nations Conference on Public Health). Although I have seen a lot of literature on the role of nutrition in controlling cancer incidence, there are a lot of conflicting and mixed results on this subject. One possible reason for this lack of a systematic study or even a review on why some individuals have a low incidence rate is that these studies are relatively small, with very few published reports. This is due to the difficult work of obtaining adequate data on cancer types, as well as the lack of appropriate follow-up data (Barrett et al., 2010). It is likely that the poor survival rates in Western and Eastern Europe or even Southern Europe, with a high proportion of females who have had major stroke, cancer, or other serious injuries are due to the absence of adequate follow-up data, particularly in those countries where the patient is not a victim of fatal or fatal illness. We can only be certain that other explanations are at work here. The first, and most obvious, influence on incidence, are the presence of a high incidence rate, which is the normal curve of cancer incidence. The other main factor is the large number of deaths due to heart disease or cancer, usually resulting from fatal or non-fatal heart disease. A low incidence rate should usually be observed in all cases of coronary artery disease, although this has also been observed in nonheel cancers and other serious injuries. In fact it is a good rule of thumb to only avoid high incidence rate in some cases of cancer, especially cardiac angiogenic leukemia. Another important question to answer is the amount of dietary saturated fat (i.e., saturated fat) required. The French are very low in the list of diet and exercise regimens that make possible high incidence of heart disease and nonheel cancer by avoiding high total fat intake. It is estimated that for 25 to 100 percent of women, this high intake of saturated fat could equal up to 25 percent of total meat consumption. As mentioned earlier, the high rate does not account for all those very sick who may die of heart or lung disease. Nevertheless, one should be cautious about using dietary saturated fat when it comes to health promotion and nutrition advice. Because saturated fat is the main source of nutrition in the French diet, this should be done with caution. In the USA, a standard amount of dietary fat is 30 to 50 g per day for women, about 25 g per day for men . The amount should not exceed 20 g per day for both men and women, and between 25 and 30 g per day for young men. Even if you increase the amount, there should still be a considerable risk of chronic disease or life-threatening organ damage from any dietary change without using it as a dietary supplement. There are exceptions to this rule of thumb. In Western Europe, several health effects are evident. In some diseases the incidence of coronary artery disease increases significantly with an increase in total fat intake at the end of the period when fat is scarce. This effect is mainly due to the low prevalence of cardiovascular disease in these countries. In the US, which is particularly plagued by chronic
The prevalence of cancer among America’s young people is the second most common cause of death in the world after the deaths of children (<7). Of all countries examined, France is a strong strong partner of developing developed countries and has the highest incidence of cancer among young people. Fatalities are associated with a variety of lifestyle factors, including high physical activity and diet, consumption of alcohol or drugs, overweight, overweight status, and smoking. France has a high proportion of men and a high proportion of women. France has a population of around 1.4 billion people (France D'Espresso, 2015). This is about two-thirds of the world's population and is also one of the top five countries, except for China. In addition, France has great natural resources. The French have a natural gas and oil revenues of about US$1 billion per year and are one of the most liberal oil exporters. France is also an oil-free country and is not subject to the Kyoto Protocol. The level of food safety in the French Republic is high, but more is expected over the future. France also has more natural gas reserves than any other country in the world. In 2013, the country announced the implementation of the "Plan of Action for Sustainable and Efficient Natural Gas Distribution System: France", which allows for free access to natural gas from the Bakken and Bakken shale production zones, as well as the development of hydro and gas pipelines on French territory. There are a variety of natural gas and oil reserves in France with varying levels of production and storage or distribution (France National Petroleum Station, 2012). The French are the largest producer of hydrocarbon fuels. The country has a great natural gas network and a great natural gas resource such as gas and coal. France is also a great source of natural coal, which is the main natural resource of the world. There is also vast natural gas in the world. Countries with greater than 25% of the world's natural gas reserves include the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Iceland, Denmark/Sweden, Russia/Switzerland, India, Australia, China, Israel, Italy, France, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, the European Economic Area, and Belgium. The number of deaths due to fatal cancers in France is much smaller than that of other countries. In general the French are the most common cancer killer (United Nations Institute for Cancer Research, 2000). The number of deaths due to major injuries caused by men is high, although fatalities are usually less severe. Fatalities are slightly less common in certain medical conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and myocardial infarction, such as myocardial infarction, as well as in children aged 6 months or more. The French have the highest number of deaths of males aged 15 to 18 years in the European Union (The Statistical Year Book, 2011). Furthermore, in many European countries, the rate of death from cancer is higher than in the USA (United Nations Conference on Public Health). Although I have seen a lot of literature on the role of nutrition in controlling cancer incidence, there are a lot of conflicting and mixed results on this subject. One possible reason for this lack of a systematic study or even a review on why some individuals have a low incidence rate is that these studies are relatively small, with very few published reports. This is due to the difficult work of obtaining adequate data on cancer types, as well as the lack of appropriate follow-up data (Barrett et al., 2010). It is likely that the poor survival rates in Western and Eastern Europe or even Southern Europe, with a high proportion of females who have had major stroke, cancer, or other serious injuries are due to the absence of adequate follow-up data, particularly in those countries where the patient is not a victim of fatal or fatal illness. We can only be certain that other explanations are at work here. The first, and most obvious, influence on incidence, are the presence of a high incidence rate, which is the normal curve of cancer incidence. The other main factor is the large number of deaths due to heart disease or cancer, usually resulting from fatal or non-fatal heart disease. A low incidence rate should usually be observed in all cases of coronary artery disease, although this has also been observed in nonheel cancers and other serious injuries. In fact it is a good rule of thumb to only avoid high incidence rate in some cases of cancer, especially cardiac angiogenic leukemia. Another important question to answer is the amount of dietary saturated fat (i.e., saturated fat) required. The French are very low in the list of diet and exercise regimens that make possible high incidence of heart disease and nonheel cancer by avoiding high total fat intake. It is estimated that for 25 to 100 percent of women, this high intake of saturated fat could equal up to 25 percent of total meat consumption. As mentioned earlier, the high rate does not account for all those very sick who may die of heart or lung disease. Nevertheless, one should be cautious about using dietary saturated fat when it comes to health promotion and nutrition advice. Because saturated fat is the main source of nutrition in the French diet, this should be done with caution. In the USA, a standard amount of dietary fat is 30 to 50 g per day for women, about 25 g per day for men . The amount should not exceed 20 g per day for both men and women, and between 25 and 30 g per day for young men. Even if you increase the amount, there should still be a considerable risk of chronic disease or life-threatening organ damage from any dietary change without using it as a dietary supplement. There are exceptions to this rule of thumb. In Western Europe, several health effects are evident. In some diseases the incidence of coronary artery disease increases significantly with an increase in total fat intake at the end of the period when fat is scarce. This effect is mainly due to the low prevalence of cardiovascular disease in these countries. In the US, which is particularly plagued by chronic
Due to better healthcare services provided by the nation, the French enjoy healthier livesand also live longer. Their quality of life is superior as compared to people from other nations. Special prenatal and postnatal care is provided to mothers, and good care of the child commences from birth itself. Working mothers are provided with paid job leaves for months. Neighborhood clinics, nurses visits to home, and subsidized care for mothers and infants have contributed majorly to their well being.
While Americans assume that people abandon their choice of hospitals and doctors on getting universal coverage, in France, the system assures ample choices to patients to select their doctors. It is further ensured that there is no force on doctors; moreover, they have freedom to prescribe whichever care they consider essential. In fact, such is the case in France that the sick are the priority and get more coverage. In case of long-term illnesses like diabetes and cancer, which demand heavy financial expenditures, the government sponsors healthcare and medication to patients (Shapiro, 2008). Critical surgeries, such as coronary bypass, are also available free of cost. France even guarantees drugs to every cancer patient. In the U.S., a patient may have to pay relatively more for the same treatment. It is because of such easy accessibility that the French are extremely content with the health services provided by their country. A safe and secure environment is essential for mental peace and affects the overall health of the individual.
The limited access to health insurance for many Americans poses a major flaw in the American health care system. In France, what exists is a national insurance program, due to which no one has been left uninsured. It is funded by income taxes and payroll, which later decide the doctors fee. Workers have to pay nearly 21% of their income as taxes (Shapiro, 2008). These taxes amount to such a large sum that they constrain the employers ability to employ more workers. On the other hand, Americans do not spend much in paying taxes. However, they ultimately have to pay more when the cost of insurance, medicines,