Characteristics of the U.S Healthcare System

Elements of the Systems Framework
Indicators of Health
Examples of Health Determinants
Acute and Chronic Conditions
100

Unlike other developed nations, the U.S. Healthcare System lacks this trait as it is controlled by many different organizations.

What is a Central Government Agency?

100

This element of the systems framework is explained by historical, cultural, social, and economic factors that shape the structure of health care delivery.

What are System Foundations?

100

This indicator of health refers to how a person personally rates their own overall health status.

What is Self-Reported Health Status?

100

This determinant of health refers to the amount of regular exercise a person engages in, which helps prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

What is Physical Activity?

100

This acute conditions occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing heart muscle damage.

What is a Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)?

200

Of all developed countries, the U.S. spends the most on health care.

What is High Cost?

200

This element of the systems framework includes both human resources (like physicians and nurses) and nonhuman resources (like technology and financing methods).

What are System Resources?

200

This indicator of health measures the average number of years a person is expected to live.

What is Life Expectancy?

200

This determinant of health includes both accidental harm and intentional harm caused by themselves or others.

What is Injury and Violence?

200

This chronic condition causes the airways to become narrow and inflamed, making it difficult to breathe.

What is Asthma?

300

In the U.S., this sector has the dominant role in health care, with the government filling in the gaps.

What is Government as Subsidiary to the Private Sector?

300

This element of the systems framework is carried out mainly through the health care delivery infrastructure such as hospitals, clinics, and LTC providers.

What are System Processes?

300

This indicator of health measures how much disease or sickness exists in a group of people.

What is Morbidity?

300

This determinant of health is when a person uses drugs or alcohol in a harmful or hazardous manner.

What is Substance Abuse?

300

This chronic condition develops when a person's blood sugar, is too high, increasing the risk of getting heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage.

What is Diabetes?

400

This approach aims to provide patients with comprehensive, coordinated, and continuous health care through primary care.

What is Integration and Accountability?

400

This element of the systems framework is evaluated using three main criterias, access, cost, and quality, focusing on what the system is able or unable to accomplish.

What are System Outcomes?

400

This indicator of health reflects an individual's ability to interact with their environment, perform expected social roles and tasks, and build relationships.

What is Social Functioning?

400

This determinant of health combines two conditions associated with excess body weight and is linked to increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.

What is Overweight/Obesity?

400

This chronic condition is when a person has consistently high blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels and organs over time.

What is Hypertension?

500

Even though the U.S. offers great medical care, this characteristic means it's generally only available to those who have adequate coverage or can pay out of pocket.

What is access to health care services selectively based on insurance coverage?

500

This element of the systems framework requires health care systems to look forward and consider future outcomes in the context of social, cultural, and economic forces.

What are System Outlooks?

500

This indicator of health focuses on specific physical or mental restrictions such as trouble walking, lifting, or concentrating, making it hard to perform routine daily tasks.

What are Functional Limitations?

500

This determinant of health examines how healthy or safe a person's surroundings are, including air, water, and physical conditions that can significantly affect a population's health.

What is Environmental Quality?

500

This acute condition transpires when a person can no longer effectively filter waste, balance fluids, and regulate chemicals in the blood.

What is Kidney Function Interruption?

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