We tell ourselves that we have the best healthcare system in the world. But we don’t. Far from it. No matter how many times we say it, it just isn’t so. The Commonwealth Fund reports give us the disturbing uncomplimentary truth. When we’re compared to other high- income countries every two years, we always come in last.
There are now 60 countries with greater life expectancy than ours. We’re no better at the other end of the age spectrum. Our infant mortality rate (under-five mortality rate per 1000 live births) is 5.44 per 1000 live births. This rate was 50th among the 195 countries and territories measured, and significantly higher than in dozens of other developed countries such as Sweden , Japan, and Australia.
We are also failing those in- between ages suffering from curable diseases. When the number of avoidable deaths per 100,000 people is counted, France, with 40, emerges as the world leader. Our average rate of avoidable death pre-Covid was 272 per 100,000 people. That is worse than 30 other OECD countries. Mississippi and W. Virginia’s numbers were greater than 400. Even our best performing states lag behind 25 other OECD countries.
Those who claim that we have the best healthcare in the world are blowing smoke. They need to open their eyes. We must restructure our healthcare system and try harder.
Unless we’re cheering for our woman’s beach volleyball team, our chant should be, WE’RE NUMBER 50-60!