2–3 pages
You are currently working as an
administrative assistant for a large metropolitan hospital. You have been asked
to prepare an article for the hospital newsletter about international health
care. The following are the items you have been asked to include:
- List and explain reasons why the health status of a
country plays an important role in its economic status. - Create a table that shows how the access, quality, and
cost of health care are influenced by the low-income, middle-income, and
high-income status of an economy.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
International health care is an essential aspect that needs to be understood to establish effective strategies and policies. Understanding the health status of a country is crucial in determining its economic status. This article discusses the relationship between health status and economic status and highlights the influence of income on access, quality, and cost of health care.
1. List and explain reasons why the health status of a country plays an important role in its economic status.
The health status of a country plays a pivotal role in its economic status due to various reasons. One of the significant reasons is that poor health leads to productivity loss. In developing countries, infectious diseases and malnutrition significantly impact the lives of individuals, which leads to reduced productivity and economic growth. People who are ill and require medical attention are unable to work, which causes them to lose wages, thus leading to a decline in the country’s economic status.
Additionally, health care expenditures increase as a result of poor health, which puts a strain on the country’s economy. The cost of healthcare places significant financial burdens on individuals and the government, leading to decreased income and decreased purchasing power, thus lowering the economic status.
Furthermore, the poor health of a country’s workforce hinders economic development. Inadequate access to healthcare can lead to long-term health problems that affect a person’s ability to work, causing labor shortages, which is a considerable factor in driving down economic growth.
2. Create a table that shows how the access, quality, and cost of health care are influenced by the low-income, middle-income, and high-income status of an economy.
The access, quality, and cost of healthcare are significantly influenced by the income status of the economy.
| Income Status | Access to Health Care | Quality of Health Care | Cost of Health Care |
| ————- | ——————— | ———————-| ——————–|
| Low-Income | Limited Access | Poor quality services | High costs |
| Middle-Income | Moderate Access | Moderate quality | Moderate costs |
| High-Income | Widespread Access | High-quality services | High costs |
Low-income countries face various challenges while accessing healthcare due to insufficient funds. Additionally, low-income countries have a shortage of medical personnel and facilities, leading to poor quality services. As a result, patients may opt to travel to other countries, increasing the cost of healthcare.
Middle-income countries have more access to healthcare than low-income countries, but the quality may be average; however, the cost of healthcare is moderate compared to low-income countries.
High-income countries have widespread access to healthcare, with high-quality services. However, the cost of healthcare is higher in these countries due to increased medical advancements and higher operating costs.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the relationship between the health status of a country and economic status is closely intertwined. Poor health leads to decreased productivity, increased healthcare costs, decreased income and purchasing power, and hampered economic development. The table presented above demonstrates how the income status of an economy influences the access, quality, and cost of healthcare. Understanding the relationship between health and the economy is crucial in establishing effective healthcare policies and strategies.
