PBHL 5501 Introduction to Public Health
Module 3 International Health Systems
Overview, Objectives, and Assignments
Overview
Different countries approach the health of their people in a variety of systems. Most countries have some form of government run public health system focused on prevention of illness which may include medical treatment. Countries differ on how medical services are organized, provided and funded with differing levels of government and private system involvement. There is no one perfect health system, but systems vary in how well they produce desired outcomes. Understanding how health systems in different countries operate and impact health status can help us improve our own systems.
Objective
Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings
Required Reading
Chapter 3 Powers and Responsibilities of Government
Chapter 26 Is the Medical Care System a Public Health Issue?
Chapter 27 Why the U.S. Medical System Needs Reform
Chapter 28 Health Services Research: Finding What Works
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PROFILES 2020 Commonwealth Fund
*Instead of the instructor lecture, please view the documentary Health care: America vs. the World 042121 PBS
Assignments
- For this assignment you will use the website INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PROFILES 2020 Commonwealth Fund
- You will compare the health systems of the United States and one other country
- Briefly summarize the Country Profilesof the two countries
- Briefly summarize the Health System Featuresof the two countries
- Select the same 5-10 indicators from the Health and System Statisticsfor the two countries
- Write a 1 – 2 paragraph overview of the country profiles (population, diversity, economics, etc.) for the U.S. and the comparison country.
- Write a 1 – 2 paragraph overview of the healthcare system in each country
- Compare the U.S. and the other country on each of your 5-10 selected indicators (charts or narrative)
- Explain the significance of the indicators selected and how the U.S. and the other country compare on those indicators
- Offer recommendations (1 – 2 paragraphs) on how the U.S. or the other country can improve its healthcare system based on your comparison
Discussion 3
Review this article: How Health Care In The U.S. May Change After COVID: An Optimist’s Outlook. Offer your own informed ideas on how the health care system may change as a result of the current epidemic. How might public health and the health care delivery system work more closely in the future? Build on the ideas of your classmates in designing a better system.
