***GAPMINDER TOOL is NEEDED!! (with the tool you will experiment plotting different health outcomes against various determinants already loaded along the two axes. SELECT (2) key health indicators for which the United States ranks lower than other nations
The Assignment (3–4 pages):
Provide a brief description of the two health indicators you selected, citing specific sources.
Explain how the U.S. ranks on these indicators compared to other nations.
Explain two factors that might influence those rankings and the relative standing of the U.S.
compared to the other nations.
Determine which two states rank the best and which two states rank the worst for those indicators.
Describe factors you believe might contribute to those relative rankings among the states.
Share any insights you gained or conclusions you drew as a result of making these comparisons.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The assignment requires selecting two key health indicators for which the United States ranks lower than other nations using the GAPMINDER tool. This report will provide a brief description of the two health indicators chosen and cite specific sources. Additionally, it will explain how the U.S. ranks on these indicators compared to other nations, identify two factors that might influence those rankings and the relative standing of the U.S. compared to other nations, and determine which two states rank the best and worst for those indicators. Furthermore, the report will describe factors believed to contribute to those relative rankings among the states and share any insights gained or conclusions drawn as a result of making these comparisons.
Answer:
The two health indicators selected using the GAPMINDER tool are life expectancy and infant mortality rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), life expectancy is defined as the average number of years a person is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Infant mortality rate, on the other hand, is defined as the number of newborn deaths (per 1,000 live births) occurring in the first year of life.
The U.S. ranks lower than other nations in life expectancy and infant mortality rate. According to the data presented by the GAPMINDER tool, the U.S. ranks 42nd in life expectancy and 55th in infant mortality rate among all countries. The life expectancy in the U.S. is currently 79 years, while the infant mortality rate is 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. In contrast, the countries with the highest life expectancy rates are Japan (84 years), Switzerland (83 years), and Singapore (83 years).
Two factors that might influence these rankings and relative standing of the U.S. compared to other nations are access to healthcare and social determinants of health. Countries with universal healthcare systems typically have better health outcomes for their population. Additionally, social determinants of health such as poverty levels, education levels, and social support can impact health outcomes.
The two states that rank the best in life expectancy are Hawaii and California, while the worst states are Mississippi and Alabama. For infant mortality rate, Vermont and Massachusetts rank the best, while Mississippi and Alabama rank the worst. Factors that contribute to these relative rankings among the states include access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and racial and ethnic disparities.
Through making these comparisons, it is evident that there is a correlation between access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and health outcomes. Additionally, policies addressing social determinants of health can have a significant impact on improving health outcomes for the population. These insights highlight the importance of addressing structural issues and implementing policies that consider the broader determinants of health beyond medical care.
