Study: US an ‘outlier’ in health care spending

Spending on health care in the United States far exceeds any other industrial nation however, that does not mean the nation has the best health outcomes.

The United States spends a large portion of its GDP on health care, 17.8% according to data from the Commonwealth Fund, while the average spending among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations is 9.6%. The US is the only OECD nation without guaranteed health insurance and its life expectancy is lower than other OECD nations, at 77 compared to the average of 80.4. The US also has a high rate of obesity, with over 42% of adults considered obese, and high rates of infant mortality and maternal deaths. However, the US has higher than average vaccination rates for the flu and its COVID-19 vaccination rate is on par with the rest of the industrial world. US citizens are also more likely to undergo breast and colon cancer screenings.

News, Scripps. “Study: US an 'Outlier' in Health Care Spending.” ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV), ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV), 6 Feb. 2023, https://www.abc15.com/news/national/study-us-an-outlier-in-health-care-spending.