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International Health Care System Profiles

Across the globe, health care policymakers face mounting pressure to lower costs while improving the quality and safety of care. The U.S. can learn a lot by examining other health systems, their performance in relation to ours, and their health care delivery and payment innovations. Explore this site to learn more about the health care systems in 19 countries.

Country Profiles

Health System Features

Compare the features of international health systems, including health insurance, public and private financing, health system organization and governance, health care quality and coordination, disparities, efficiency and integration, use of information technology and evidence-based practice, cost containment, and recent reforms and innovations.

Selected Health and System Statistics

Compare 19 countries on key health system characteristics and performance indicators, including overall health care spending, hospital spending and utilization, health care access, patient safety, care coordination, chronic care management, disease prevention, capacity for quality improvement, and public views.

2016 International Survey of Adults

The 2016 Commonwealth Fund International Survey of 11 nations finds that adults in the United States are far more likely than those in other countries to go without needed care because of costs and to struggle to afford basic necessities such as housing and healthy food. U.S. adults are also more likely to report having poor health and emotional distress.

Cost-Related Access Barriers in the Past Year

Percent

Had a medical problem but did not visit doctor; skipped medical test, treatment or follow up recommended by doctor; and/or did not fill prescription or skipped doses

Difficulty Getting After-Hours Care

Percent who said it was 'somewhat' or 'very' difficult to obtain after-hours care

Base: Excludes adults who did not need after-hours care

Experienced a Problem with Care Coordination in Past Two Years

Percent

Test results/records not being available at appointment or duplicate tests ordered; specialist lacked medical history or regular doctor not informed about specialist care; and/or received conflicting information from different doctors or health care professionals.

Cost-Related Access Barriers in the Past Year, Among Low-Income Adults

Percent of low-income adults

Respondents are categorized as earning less than half their country’s median if they said that their household income was less than: Australia, AUD $35,000; Canada, CAD $35,000; France, €21,000; Germany, €23,000; Netherlands, €17,000; New Zealand, NZD $33,000; Norway, NOK 340,000; Sweden, SEK 170,000; Switzerland, CHF 48,000; United Kingdom, £14,000; United States, USD $25,000.