Events
Author: Huiyangshi –International intern lhchf
Corresponding author; Dr Benjamin Odeka – director of Research lady Helen child health foundation
The health of any nation is dependent on many variables which are driven by commitment, need and political will. In today’s world this has been so glaringly obvious when we look at the health statistics across areas of the world. In this context the research team at lady Helen child health foundation (LHCHF) decided to randomly select 3 continents ( Africa, Americas and Asia) from which the 3 countries of Nigeria, China (PRC) and the United States of America were identified as representative interest groups. This we believe represents the differential levels of wealth (GDP) that truly provide supportive answers to assumed concepts.
All three countries face challenges in ensuring equitable healthcare access across their populations. Each has made efforts to improve healthcare services, but disparities exist due to socioeconomic factors, geographic distribution, and resource allocation. Public health initiatives are present in all countries, although their effectiveness and reach vary significantly.
In Nigeria, healthcare access is severely constrained by inadequate infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. The public health system suffers from chronic underfunding, resulting in frequent shortages of medical supplies and equipment. Government spending on healthcare is approximately 4% of the GDP. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers only about 5% of the population, leaving most Nigerians to rely on out-of-pocket payments for healthcare services. Nigeria also faces a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, with a doctor-to-patient ratio of about 1:2,500, well below the WHO recommendation of 1:1,000. Additionally, public health initiatives struggle due to limited resources, and restraining efforts in disease prevention and health promotion. The lack of effective policies and sufficient government funding aggravate these challenges, making it difficult to improve healthcare outcomes. Thus, the life expectancy is Nigeria is relatively short. WHO shows that life expectancy in Nigeria has improved from 53.6 years in 2000 to 63.4 years in 2021.
In 2022, the CDC estimates life expectancy at birth in the U.S. increased to 77.5 years, up 1.1 years from 76.4 years in 2021, but still down 1.3 years from 78.8 years in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The average life expectancy at birth among comparable countries was 82.2 years in 2022, down 0.1 years from 2021 and 0.5 years from 2019. Life expectancy varies considerably within the U.S., though all U.S. states fall below the average for comparable countries.
The U.S. healthcare system is advanced, with cutting-edge medical technology and specialized care available. However, access to healthcare is uneven, with significant disparities based on socioeconomic status, geography, and insurance coverage. Health insurance is predominantly provided through employers, government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, or purchased privately. The U.S. spends about 17% of its GDP on healthcare, the highest among OECD countries. Despite the Affordable Care Act expanding coverage, around 8.5% of the population remains uninsured. Disparities in healthcare access and outcomes are stark, with wealthier individuals receiving far superior care compared to poorer populations. Funding for public health services is robust, with comprehensive programs for disease prevention, health education, and emergency preparedness, although these programs vary by state and local jurisdictions.
China has made remarkable progress in improving healthcare access through substantial investments in health infrastructure and reforms aimed at achieving universal health coverage. Life expectancy in China is relatively higher, and has continuously risen over the last decades, benefitting greatly from the country’s economic ascendancy. In 2021, the average life expectancy at birth in China reached about 78.2.
The public health system is extensive, with community health centers providing primary care and larger hospitals offering specialized services. Government spending on healthcare is around 5% of GDP, with health insurance schemes covering over 95% of the population through Basic Medical Insurance for urban and rural residents. Public health services in China are robust, featuring effective nationwide programs for disease control, maternal and child health, and health promotion. Health education is a significant component of China’s public health strategy, with comprehensive efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a complementary role in the healthcare system, integrating with modern medical practices to offer holistic care. Therefore, if there are many people in the hospital, people can also go to TCM and ask for help because it has lasted for thousands of years, gaining various people’s trust. Besides this, China’s healthcare workforce has improved, with a doctor-to-patient ratio of about 1:750, closer to the WHO recommendation.
While Nigeria struggles with infrastructure and funding issues exacerbated by poor policy formulation/implementation and a lack of human resources, the U.S. contends with access disparities despite its advanced technology. In contrast, China has achieved broad healthcare coverage and robust public health services through substantial investment and reforms, with a strong emphasis on health education and the integration of traditional Chinese medicine.
In this initial attempt to understand the forces at play in health dynamics we have been able to show that differences remain in performance related to healthcare provision and that it is intricately linked to GDP, levels of healthcare spending, political will, health promotion and education, users trust in the system, solid infrastructural base, and the need for continuous evaluation and monitoring. A well-managed and funded health care system invariably provides a basis for an improved life expectancy and well-being of the population in general.
Further analysis, will focus on maternal and child health issues in relation to well-being and other health statistics.
References:
- World Bank: Healthcare Spending in Nigeria
- National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage in Nigeria
- World Health Organization: Nigeria’s health workforce statistics
- Health spending | OECD
- Key Facts about the Uninsured Population | KFF
- World Bank: Healthcare Spending in China
- Chinese Government: Health Insurance Coverage in China
- World Health Organization: China health workforce statistics
- KFF analysis of CDC, OECD, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Statistics Canada, and U.K. Office for National Statistics data Get the data PNG
- Nigeria (who.int)
