Abstract
In 2004, U.S. health care spending per capita was 2.5 times greater than health spending in the median Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country and much higher than health spending in any other OECD country. The United States had fewer physicians, nurses, hospital beds, doctor visits, and hospital days per capita than the median OECD country. Health care prices and higher per capita incomes continued to be the major reasons for the higher U.S. health spending. One possible explanation is higher prevalence of obesity-related chronic disease in the United States relative to other OECD countries.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1481-1489 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Health Affairs |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2007 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy