Why Is Iceland A Developed Country

Many would agree that a worthy, controlled health system, above all, should essentially contribute to good health. The responsibility of a health care system is that the organization of people, institutions, and resources deliver the health care services required and meet the health needs of focus populations. Another duty that the health care systems stimulate is the reduction of inequality to race, gender, social status and religion. Each health care system is different when looking at specific countries across the world, however some countries are more similar than others, such as France and Canada’s health care system. These two countries have numerous similarities when examining their health care systems, conversely that does not denote that both France and Canada are just as equivalent as the other. When observing countless aspects, such as longevity and infant mortality, as well as a lot of the inputs such as doctors or beds per capita, and of course the total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP over the year, it is seen that France has a better and more enhanced health care system than Canada.

1. The difference between a developing and a developed country are typically based on economics. A developing country usually has a low level of affluent citizens, and higher levels of unemployment. Developing countries also have lower education rates, and often times undeveloped, rural type villages. Developed countries usually have technological advantages, better roads, stable governments, higher education rates, and good health care.

In making comparisons, countries are classified according to their level of economic development (p27). Developed countries known as high-income countries have high income which can support any needed health access (p27). Less developed countries do not have that privilege. Less developed countries or developing countries also known as middle-income countries, have relatively low income (p27). In environments as such, there are not always the possibility to afford any healthcare. Last, but not least, least developed countries known as low-income countries are the poorest. In environments as such, there is no chance to receiving the proper health care.

Health has been influenced by many factors such as poor health status, disease risk factors, and limited access to healthcare. All these factors are due to social, economic and environmental disadvantages. According to the World Organization (WHO) (2015), “the social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities, which is the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries”

A healthy population is not only vital but also a necessity for a country’s economic growth and development. There is an inherently strong connection between the health status of the population and the level of development of a country. Most countries that are exceptionally developed have an overwhelmingly healthy population,

Is it possible for two countries which are thousands of kilometers away from each other to have some similarities in their health care system? Health care system is one of the most important and fundamental sectors in any country or region all around the world. Many countries pour a major amount of their overall income to support the health care system. And the main reason behind this tremendous effort provided by the countries all around the world for the health care system is that each country wants to provide a good and high standard health care services for all the population occupying the land whether they were local citizens or Non- local citizens . This essay will compare and contrast the health care system in two wonderful countries:

A report published by Inter nations on Iceland public health system, revealed the secret of what makes their system great and better than ours; reasons being is because there is no private health care sector in Iceland whereas in the US, it is mostly private.

In the Central African Republic, the infant mortality rate is 107 per 1,000(6). That means that an infant born in Norway has a 10 per cent higher chance of survival than an infant born in the Central African Republic. Even in the first few days after birth, inequalities exist between the lives of infants born in developed countries and the lives of infants born in underdeveloped countries. Furthermore, the life expectancy at birth of a child born in Norway is 81.1 (5) years, whereas in the Central African Republic, the life expectancy at birth is 48.4 years (5). Again, inequalities exist between the infants born in developed countries and the infants born in developed countries. Although the Central African Republic has a high rate of infant mortality as well as a high death rate - 17.6 per 1,000 in the years 2005-2010(7), it also has a very high birth rate - 35.6 per 1,000 in the years 2005-2010 (8). This has lead to a very high population, which puts a huge strain on the resources of the country. Norway on the other hand, has a much steadier population, with a low birth rate - 12.6 per 1,000 in the years 2005-2010 (8) - but also a low death rate - 8.8 per 1,000 in the years 2005-2010 (7). The population is controlled and their are enough resources to serve the entire population. It is for this reason that Norwegians generally receive an average of 12.6 years of schooling (5). Contrast this with the Central African Republic, where citizens there

Topic: Why are some countries more developed than others? Explain why uneven development exists between countries (developed countries and less developed countries). Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

As a high-income society, the United States when comparing the health care statistics to others world-wide is one of the most blessed nations in the world, but many people who struggle to pay for their health care find that our health care system has many weaknesses that effect the overall quality of care and their personal well-being. Health is defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being” (Macionis 236). There are many degrees of both physical and mental health and most people fall short of complete health and find themselves in need of medical care. One indicator that is used to measure a society’s overall health is the infant mortality rate, which is “the number of babies who die before their first birthday out of every thousand babies born” (Macionis 236). As expected, America’s infant mortality rates are low especially when coming comparing the rates to countries that are known to have economic hardships. Another means to measure the overall health well-being of a society is by determining the life expectancy at birth or the number of years that a person is expected to live in a given society. High-income nation’s life-expectancy rates are higher and most people can live long lives without serious health conditions until later in life. Low-income nations unfortunately can have much lower life expectancies. The economy and livelihood of a

The OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) reports and tracks over 1200 health systems annually (Alexander, 2010). Moreover, the organization assesses approximately 30 industrialized countries. The OECD collects data ranging from the citizens’ health status to almost all non-medical determinants of health care utilization and resources. For instance, according to the OECD analysis of 2008, the United States differs markedly from the rest of the OECD countries, mainly on several features that measure the performance of health systems. Some of the factors include the United States has a relatively low quantity of beds in hospitals and general practitioner per capita (Alexander,

There are many factors that determine whether a country is developed or is developing, but the primary factor is GDP (gross domestic product) per capita. GDP is a measure of the total output of the country divided by the number of people

When carrying out the assessments on various entities in the health system, the method applied in the United States has more strength as compared to the weaknesses which exist. It is a country which in the recent past has invested more in its workforce. In connection to this, it usually absorbs skilled, qualified personnel to work in the health care facilities. It also has a lot of supplement being that it appreciates other institutions efforts both secondary and tertiary levels (McDonough, 2014). It also experiences high development in research programs where specialist selects a given particular area to do research on, and therefore there is quality in the outcomes. However, on the other hand, the literature indicates that in the past, the country experienced some difficulties where there was inadequate coverage, and those who were not insured could not receive adequate quality services. They also experienced high levels of expenses due to poor subjective measures.

Nationally, Norway’s parliament serves as the political decision-making body for health care. They are responsible for planning and subsidizing the education of health personnel, they develop and implement national health policies, and they are responsible for the funding of national health care. The Norwegian health care system is primarily funded by taxes but is supplemented by state grants and some user charges. National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was created in 1967 by the Norwegian government. It is a universal, tax-funded, single payer health system that covers 100 percent of the Norwegian citizens and residents, unless they opt out of it. The health status of the Norwegian population is considered one of the best in the world; yet, in 2003 Norway only spent 10.3% of their gross domestic product on health care. (4) The United States spends a much higher percent of our gross domestic product than Norway, yet our life expectancy in the United States is ranked 27th. Norway’s life expectancy is ranked 14th. The difference in spending is felt to be caused by inflated prices for health care services in the United States. (3)

Why is it that some countries are classified as developed and others not? What is the criteria used to determine this? Some people believe that within the criteria to evaluate a country’s development, democracy and economic development must be taken into consideration, and that a link exists between them. Democracy can be defined as a form of government in which people choose their leaders by voting, it also implies equal rights and treatment. (Merriam Webster n.d.) By the other hand, economic development can be defined as the progress in an economy referring to an improvement of living standards, the adoption of new technologies and the transition form an agricultural to an industrial based economy. (Business Dictionary n.d.)