The United States is by far the country that spends most on health care, yet has the worst overall population health, according to a new report. The United States spent $7,500 per person on health care in 2008, according to a recent report from The Conference Board of Canada.
The United States spends 16 percent of its gross domestic product on health care, with private expenses making up the majority of that spending. This is 50 percent more than the second highest spender, Norway. The United States also has the highest proportion of private expenditures on health and is the only country among its peers with a greater share of private than public spending.
Yet the country ranked last among the 16 peer countries on population health. The United States records the lowest life expectancy and ranks last on infant mortality. Additionally, physicians in the United States are among the highest paid, but they are also most likely to have to pay the highest insurance premiums. Not surprisingly, the report also states the United States spends far more than other countries on diagnostic tests.
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