International Health Policy Quiz

In which two countries are adults least likely to get a doctor’s appointment for the same or next day when they need care?

Germany and the Netherlands
Australia and New Zealand
Canada and the U.S.

No, people under 65 are more likely to get a same- or next-day appointment in Germany (76%), the Netherlands (63%), Australia (58%), or New Zealand (72%) than they are in Canada (41%) or the U.S. (48%).

Yes, only 48 percent of people under 65 in the U.S. and 41 percent of people in Canada are able to get a same- or next-day appointment. However, U.S. residents do, on average, have relatively fast access to specialists.

About how much does the U.S. spend annually on health care per person?

Less than $4,000	$4,000 to $6,000
$6,000 to $8,000	More than $8,000

It's a bit higher than you think. The U.S. spends $8,745 per person on health care annually, which is more than any other nation and $5,000 more than Japan, a low-spending country. Despite this high rate of spending, U.S. health outcomes are not superior.

You got it! The U.S. spends $8,745 per person on health care annually, which is more than any other nation and $5,000 more than Japan, a low-spending country. Despite this high rate of spending, U.S. health outcomes are not superior.

In which countries do people have the longest life expectancy?

Germany and the U.S.
Japan and Switzerland
The Netherlands and Sweden

Nope. Japan and Switzerland have the longest life expectancy at 83 years. In the U.S., it is 79.

Correct. Japan and Switzerland have the longest life expectancy,
at 83 years. In the U.S., it is 79.

What country other than the U.S. has a large uninsured population?

Germany
England
Neither

Nein! Germany has a smaller uninsured population than the U.S. In fact, no other industrialized country in the world has a large uninsured population.

Sorry, mate! England has a smaller uninsured population than the U.S. In fact, no other industrialized country in the world has a large uninsured population.

Correct! But it isn't just Germany and England who have smaller uninsured populations than the U.S. No other industrialized country has a large uninsured population.

In which countries are most hospitals publicly owned?

Denmark and New Zealand
The U.S. and Japan
New Zealand and the Netherlands

Correct! The majority of hospitals in Denmark and New Zealand are publicly owned. The same is true for Australia, England, France, Italy, Norway, and Sweden.

Wrong. The majority of hospitals in the U.S. and Japan are privately owned. The correct answer is Denmark and New Zealand. Most hospitals in Denmark and New Zealand, as well as Australia, England, France, Italy, Norway, and Sweden, are publicly owned.

Partly right. The majority of hospitals are publicly owned in New Zealand, but in the Netherlands the majority of hospitals are privately held. Australia, England, France, Italy, Norway, and Sweden are other countries where the majority of hospitals are publicly owned.

Health spending growth has slowed in the U.S. in recent years. How has health spending been growing in other industrialized countries?

Faster than in the U.S.
Slower than in the U.S.
About the same as in the U.S.

Wrong. Health spending is growing at about the same rate in other industrialized countries as it is in the U.S. However, the U.S. still spends much more on health care—16.9 percent of the gross national product (GDP), compared to a median rate of 9.3 percent of GDP for all industrialized countries.

Right! Health spending is growing at about the same rate in other industrialized countries. However, the U.S. still spends much more on health care—16.9 percent of gross national product (GDP), compared to a median rate of 9.3 percent of GDP for all industrialized countries.

About how much more, on average, does an orthopedic surgeon earn in the U.S. than in France?

$114,000 more
$288,000 more
$362,000 more

No, think higher. Think $288,000 more. In the U.S., orthopedic surgeons on average earn $442,450, while in France they earn $154,380.

It's true, $288,000 more. In the U.S., orthopedic surgeons earn an average $442,450, while in France they earn $154,380.

No, think lower. It’s $288,000 more. In the U.S., orthopedic surgeons on average earn $442,450, while in France they earn $154,380.

Where do adults age 65 and older have out-of-pocket health care costs on par with those paid by older adults in the U.S.?

Switzerland
Germany
The U.K.

Right! It’s not just the mountains that are high in Switzerland. Twenty-two percent of older adults spend more than $2,000 a year out of pocket on health care. In the U.S., 21 percent spend that much. However, few Swiss adults report problems accessing care because of costs, unlike their U.S. counterparts.

Nope, in Germany only 7 percent spend $2,000 or more on health care. Twenty-two percent of older adults in Switzerland and 21 percent of older adults in the U.S. spent that much.

Nope, in the U.K., only 2 percent spent $2,000 or more on health care. Twenty-two percent of older adults in Switzerland and 21 percent of older adults in the U.S. spent that much.

In which areas of care does the U.S. perform well relative to other countries?

Patients talk with health care professionals about diet and exercise
Patients with chronic conditions have treatment plans that can be carried out in daily life
Patients have enough time with their regular doctors
All of the above

Partly right! The U.S. does well in all of these areas. Fifty-eight percent of chronically ill older adults in the U.S. reported they had discussed their treatment goals with their doctor and had clear instructions about when to seek further care. With the exception of the U.K., fewer than half of chronically ill people in the other surveyed countries reported the same. Eighty-three percent of U.S. respondents reported they had a treatment plan they could carry out in their everyday lives—one of the highest rates of the nations surveyed. And the vast majority (86 percent) of older adults said they had enough time with their doctors.

Correct! The U.S. does well in all of these areas. Fifty-eight percent of chronically ill older adults in the U.S. reported they had discussed their treatment goals with their doctor and had clear instructions about when to seek further care. With the exception of the U.K., fewer than half of chronically ill people in the other surveyed countries reported the same. Eighty-three percent of U.S. respondents reported they had a treatment plan they could carry out in their everyday lives—one of the highest rates of the nations surveyed. And the vast majority (86 percent) of older adults said they had enough time with their doctors.

Do Americans go to the doctor more or less frequently than people in most other industrialized countries?

More often
Less often
At about the same frequency

No, Americans tend to go to the doctor less frequently than people in other high-income countries. There are about four visits per person in the U.S. annually, compared with almost eight in Canada.

Yes, Americans tend to go to the doctor less frequently than people in other high-income countries. There are about four visits per person in the U.S. annually, compared with almost eight in Canada.

Pro Traveler
Congratulations! You move through the nuances of the health systems of developed countries with remarkable ease. Have you considered becoming a tour guide? If you ever need to brush up, read The Commonwealth Fund's International Profiles of Health Care Systems, 2014.

Seasoned Traveler
Congratulations! While you may not be able to lead the tour group yet, you know your way around a health system. Read The Commonwealth Fund's International Profiles of Health Care Systems, 2014, to learn even more.

Novice Traveler
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