Question: The globalization of markets is a powerful force in industry, health care included. The availability of goods and services, along with political, social, and geographic pressures, influences the nature of health care, not just in a region but across borders and around the world. It is the butterfly effect in action. The way health care is provided-to whom it is available and what its costs and price are-is reshaping the industry on a global scale. To understand the forces and drivers we can not only be concerned with the micro level of analysis. Focusing on our clinic, town, county, and state will only lead to disaster if we do not also keep our eyes open to the macro view.
The H1N1 swine flu virus or obesity are examples of global health phenomena garnering attention in the media. Someone with a virus in Africa or Asia can board an airplane and be almost anywhere in the world in less than 12 hours. So what happens globally might actually be felt locally. Economics, technology, and access are all shaping how human disease and wellness are experienced on a global level. Globalization affects health and health affects globalization. Although these influences are neither good nor bad we must be aware of them and do our best to understand how they drive our decisions related to health care spending.
To prepare for this Discussion, complete the readings in your Learning Resources. Locate and critique a website that focuses on health care in a country outside of the United States.
Post a comprehensive response to the following:
• Based on your experience as a provider and consumer of health care goods and services, how does the health care quality, access, and cost in the U.S. compare to the other country you researched online?
• What are some of the future issues and concerns related to health care financing in the U.S. compared to the other country?
• Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week's Learning Resources and/or additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Your citations must be in APA format.
200 to 250 words