Is It Fair to Compare the US with Tiny European Countries in Terms of Health Care and Social Systems?
When comparing the health care systems and social structures of the United States and tiny European countries like Denmark, it is important to consider the relevant factors that truly matter. Simply comparing raw numbers, such as the number of COVID-19 deaths, can be misleading due to differences in population size. However, comparing deaths per million people and the basic principles of health care systems provides a fair and insightful analysis.
Comparing Health Outcomes on a Per Capita Basis
It would be unfair to compare the approximately 200,000 COVID-19 deaths in the US to the approximate 600 deaths in Denmark, considering the vast difference in population size. However, comparing the number of deaths per million people gives a more accurate and pertinent perspective. In 2020, the US had about 600 COVID-19 deaths per million people, while Denmark had about 100 deaths per million people. This relative comparison takes into account the size of the population and provides a more meaningful analysis of the effectiveness of the health care systems.
The Efficiency of Universal Healthcare Systems
The efficiency of universal healthcare systems can be studied by looking at smaller, densely populated countries such as the UK, which has the same healthcare system as England and Scotland. England, with a larger population, has the advantage of economies of scale, making healthcare more affordable. This underscores the importance of population size when evaluating the effectiveness of healthcare systems. Countries like Germany, with a population of about 25 times smaller than the US, still manage to maintain a robust healthcare system that serves a larger number of people.
Comparing GDP and GDP Per Capita
Similar to healthcare, comparing gross domestic product (GDP) can be misleading without considering per capita figures. For example, comparing the GDP of smaller countries with larger countries without looking at GDP per capita can be grossly unfair. Finland, for instance, has a GDP of approximately $449.8 billion, which is smaller than the GDP of the US, but for such countries, GDP per capita provides a more accurate reflection of their economic well-being. Thus, it is more appropriate to compare GDP per capita across different countries.
The Case of the UK, France, Germany, and Italy Compared to California
The UK, France, Germany, and Italy each have populations approximately twice that of California, which is the most populous state in the US. These countries provide valuable comparisons for evaluating the effectiveness of different social and healthcare systems. Comparing the US with all of these European countries can help highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the US system.
The Unfair Comparisons and the Realities Behind USrankings
Compared to developed nations, the US often ranks as a second-tier nation. This ranking is partly due to its declining middle class and increasing poverty rates. The question of whether it is fair to compare the US with smaller countries becomes even more glaring when one considers the history and actions of the US on a global scale. For instance, in 2020, the US sanctioned UN officials conducting investigations into current accusations of human rights violations, particularly those involving the US military, indicating a reluctance to face accountability.
The discourse around fair comparisons is not about justifying the US’s current status but is about recognizing the complexities of national rankings and the need for a nuanced approach to evaluating health care and social systems. It is essential to use comparative analyses that take into account the unique challenges and resources available to different nations.
Conclusion
Comparing the US with tiny European countries, such as Denmark, is not inherently unfair when considering deaths per million people and the basic principles of health care systems. However, it is important to recognize that the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems can be influenced by factors such as population size. Further, these comparisons should be made within the context of global rankings, which are influenced by a variety of socio-economic and historical factors.