Health Outcomes and Health Spending in the United States and the Nordic Countries

Abstract

There is a broad consensus that the Nordic countries spend less on health care but get better health outcomes than the U.S. The study aims to compare health outcomes and health spending and compare the top ten causes and risk factors for disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in U.S. and Nordic countries. In both health systems, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, high blood pressure, and high LDL were found as the leading risk factors contributing to death and disability combined. Ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, lung cancer, and COPD are among the top five conditions that cause the most deaths in both health systems. It was found that the Nordic system has lower health costs due to its strong primary care system, more services, universal access to health care without financial barriers, and a generally healthy lifestyle. The study shows that there are many lessons that the U.S. and Nordic countries can learn from each other.