Report: America Last in Healthcare Survey

Washington (AFP) - France is tops, and the United States last, in providing timely and effective healthcare to its citizens, according to a survey of preventable deaths in 19 industrialized countries. The study, by the Commonwealth Fund and published in the January/February issue of the journal Health Affairs, measured the death rates of subjects younger than 75 that could have been prevented by timely and effective medical care. The researchers found that while most countries surveyed saw preventable deaths decline by an average of 16 percent, the United States saw only a four percent dip. "It is startling to see the US falling even farther behind on this crucial indicator of health system performance," said Commonwealth Fund Senior Vice President Cathy Schoen, who noted that "other countries are reducing these preventable deaths more rapidly, yet spending far less." The 19 countries, in order of best to worst, were: France, Japan, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Click here to read the entire story