Sick Around the World

The United States spends over two trillion dollars a year on health care, which is over 15% of our GDP. Yet, 74% of Americans believe significant changes are needed to our health care system. Countries like Japan and the United Kingdom spend a lot less money on their health care system and rank higher in terms of overall level of health than the United States. How do they do it? What are the costs and benefits to different types of health care systems found around the world?

PBS Frontline investigated health care systems in five capitalist democracies to see what lessons we might be able to learn as more and more Americans demand changes to our health care system. The investigation looks into the cultural, structural, and financial differences of health care systems around the world.

This is an interesting documentary that makes you question health care from philosophical and practical perspectives. It seems that slightly different health care systems can provide huge benefits in terms of access and affordability.

The graphs below compare how much each nation spends on health care to its average life expectancy. While the United States spends the most on health care, it also has lower life expectancy compared to other developed nations.





While we have some of the best hospitals, doctors, and technology in the world, the cost of health care in America is high and many Americans have little or no health coverage.

Frontline looks at the pros and cons of health care systems found around the world to see how other nations provide adequate health services to all of its citizens at lower costs. The Washington Post correspondent and NPR commentator, T.R. Reid, goes to five countries to report on their health care systems. The full episode can be found online here.

A preview of the documentary--