A Plain View of Poor Health in a Land of Plenty

Abstract

This article provides a clear description of U.S. health spending that is on a steep upward trajectory, and U.S. health outcomes on a downward trajectory, as compared to other nations. The article is written to inform social workers and other health professionals, who observe the poor health of their clients in a high-resource nation, while the nation banters about health care reform. This report presents international and national health resource and outcome comparisons, with implications for sustainable support for U.S population health and national capabilities.

Keywords::

• Health disparities
• health spending
• capabilities
• sustainability