Country Comparison Poster: Greece vs the United States by William Khoury

References (Part 1)

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-04 02:36:59 UTC

“5 Public Health Technologies to Revolutionize Health Care Delivery.” Edited by Keck School of Medicine of USC, Keck School of Medicine of USC, 8 Nov. 2023, mphdegree.usc.edu/blog/public-health-technology.
Blumenthal, David. “Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System.” Health Care by Country 2024 Report | Commonwealth Fund, 19 Sept. 2024, www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2024/sep/mirror-mirror-2024.
The Clinton Courier. “The Pros and Cons of the US Health-Care Model (the Direct-Fee System).” The Clinton Courier, 9 Oct. 2024, www.theclintoncourier.net/2020/09/14/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-us-health-care-model-the-direct-fee-system/.
Collins, Sara R. “The State of Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S.” State of Health Insurance Coverage in U.S.: 2024 Biennial Survey | Commonwealth Fund, 21 Nov. 2024, www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/surveys/2024/nov/state-health-insurance-coverage-us-2024-biennial-survey#:~:text=Introduction,lacked%20health%20insurance%20in%202023.
“Economy & Trade.” Edited by United States Trade Representative, United States Trade Representative, 2025, ustr.gov/issue-areas/economy-trade.
“Explore - Data Commons.” Edited by Data Commons, Home - Data Commons, 2022, datacommons.org/explore#q=life%20expectancy%20in%20the%20US.
“FASTSTATS - Deaths and Mortality.” Edited by National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Oct. 2024, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm.
Girvan, Gregg, and Anmol Rathi. “Greece: #25 in the 2024 World Index of Healthcare Innovation.” FREOPP, 26 Dec. 2024, freopp.org/greece-25-in-the-2024-world-index-of-healthcare-innovation/.
“Greece - Rankings, News | U.S. News Best Countries.” Edited by US News, US News, 2023, www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/greece.
“Guide to Healthcare in Greece | Allianz Care.” Edited by Allianz, Allianz Care, 2025, www.allianzcare.com/en/support/health-and-wellness/national-healthcare-systems/healthcare-in-greece.html.
“Health System Financing.” Edited by Community Catalyst, Community Catalyst, 25 Jan. 2023, communitycatalyst.org/issues/affordability/health-system-financing/.
“Individual Behaviors.” Edited by National Research Council, U.S. Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK154472/#:~:text=Unhealthy%20diet%20and%20low%20physical,transmitted%20infections%2C%20and%20adolescent%20pregnancies.
“Infant Morality Rate.” Edited by The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/infant-mortality-rate/country-comparison/.
Kowalenko, Charlie. “Greece Tops EU in Unmet Medical Needs Due to High Costs.” Greek City Times, 17 Dec. 2024, greekcitytimes.com/2024/12/17/greece-medical-needs/.
Mattiuzzi, Camilla. “Leading Causes of US Deaths in the 2022.” Leading Causes of US Deaths in the 2022, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 Nov. 2024, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39685544/.

Age Distribution in the United States

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-04 02:40:17 UTC

Estimated Population: 340.1 Million ²⁷

persons under 18 years: 21.7%
persons between 18 and 65: 60.6%
persons 65 years and older: 17.7%

Age Distribution in Greece

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-04 02:50:15 UTC

Estimated Population: 10.3 million²⁷

persons under 18 years: 17.2%
persons between 18 and 65 years: 60.4%
persons 65 years and older: 22.4%

Leading Causes of Death in Greece

wkhoury2020 — 2025-04-04 16:57:20 UTC

22% of deaths are from heart attacks
21% of deaths are from Neoplasms (tumors)
7% of deaths from unintentional injuries ¹⁷

Leading Causes of Death in the US

wkhoury2020 — 2025-04-04 17:00:42 UTC

22.5% of deaths are from heart disease
18% of deaths is from cancer
6% of deaths is from unintentional injuries ¹⁵

Percent GDP Spent on Healthcare in Greece

orojas2024 — 2025-04-07 12:25:11 UTC

As of December 2024 9.7% ⁸

Percent GDP Spent on Healthcare in United States

orojas2024 — 2025-04-07 12:27:10 UTC

As of 2023 17.6% ¹⁶

Healthcare Delivery Systems in Greece

orojas2024 — 2025-04-07 12:46:14 UTC

Greece has a mix of private and public hospitals. As of December 2024, about 2/3 of hospitals are public. 55% being public and the remaining 45% being privately owned. ⁸ Greece is also experiencing a shortage of Doctors as of 2023. The country is also known to have the lowest of hospital nurses per capital.¹⁴

Healthcare Delivery System in the United States

orojas2024 — 2025-04-07 12:53:37 UTC

The United States Healthcare system is made up of both Private and public Sectors. As for the healthcare workforce, the United States is currently suffering a shortage of nurses and physicians. The shortage is expected to worsen by 2030 and reach a shortage of about 124k Physicians as well as 200k nurses. ¹⁸

Major Health Behaviors in Greece

wkhoury2020 — 2025-04-07 16:01:03 UTC

Smoking, alcohol, and unhealthy diets are reported to be 40% of mortality for the population. Even though these are considered "social norms" to society they are very critical. ²⁵

Major Health Behaviors in the US

wkhoury2020 — 2025-04-07 16:39:35 UTC

Unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, drug use, and sexually transmitted infections are the most common major negative health behaviors in the US.¹²

Other Observations

orojas2024 — 2025-04-08 15:54:23 UTC

As of 2023, Greece was having trouble overcoming a shortage of pharmaceuticals due to a shortage of drugs
The Medical Device Market is expected to grow to $1.4 Billion by 2027

Meanwhile in the U.S

Preforms worse in regards to long-term health for example, Life Expectancy
High rates for medication errors than most countries

Health Outcome Metrics in Greece

wkhoury2020 — 2025-04-09 20:36:37 UTC

Life expectancy-83.3 years for women, and 78.1 years for men ¹⁹
Infant mortality-2.2 deaths per 1000 births ¹³
Birth Rate-6.8 births per 1000 people

Health Outcome Metrics in the US

wkhoury2020 — 2025-04-09 20:38:17 UTC

Life expectancy-80.2 years for women, 74.8 years for men ⁶
Infant mortality-5.2 deaths per 1000 births⁷
Birth rate-12 births per 1000 people²⁶

Quality of Healthcare System in Greece

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-10 14:57:26 UTC

· The healthcare system has public and private providers.

· Citizens receive their health care from National Health Services (EOPYY).

· There are private clinics, hospitals, and service providers in Greece.

· Greece is ranked 28^th in quality of health care

· The country ranked 26^th in three of the four elements for the quality dimensions.⁸

· These scores were based on chronic conditions, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

· Many people in Greece have the freedom to choose healthcare.

· Greece does not have many new treatments due to issues with access to new drugs and poor access to essential health services.

· In good control of public health spending. ²⁰

Technology in Greece

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-10 14:59:14 UTC

· Greece holds 22^nd position for overall Science and Technology

· Does not invest much in in R&D for technology, or awarded enough patients for the technology

· The least digitally connected country in the index, this limits their ability to take full coverage of electronic health records.⁸

Benefits of the Health Care System in Greece

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-10 23:14:13 UTC

· High qualifications of doctors. There are many young and hard-working specialists.

· Many doctors speak fluent English, French, Italian, and German.

· High qualifications of pharmacist and pharmacies.

· Inexpensive dentistry.

· Greece is a very healthy country and has one of the highest life expectancies among EU countries. ²⁰

Limitations of the Health Care System in Greece

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-10 23:15:27 UTC

· It’s hard for individuals to make appointments with a doctor.

· There are 4.9 practicing doctors per 1,000 people.

· Sometimes you can wait 3-4 hours before being seen,

· Clinics aren’t very sanitized or have good hygiene.

· Doctors smoke in the hospitals while seeing patients.

· An ambulance is only used in an emergency and many patients are asked to get to the nearest hospital on their own.

A private ambulance is very expensive, around 500-800 euros. ²¹

United States Economy

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-10 23:17:20 UTC

The U.S. has a capitalist economy where individuals own most businesses, not the government. Consumers decide prices and what to buy, giving people control over the economy. ²⁹
The U.S. is a high-income country, earning over 20% of the world’s income.
Top industries include: Healthcare, Technology, Finance and insurance, Manufacturing, and Entertainment and media. ⁵

Greek Economy

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-12 23:46:06 UTC

Greece has a free-market economy, with significant government influence.
Greece is a high income country with a public sector accounting for 40% of the GDP
Top Industries Include: Tourism, Shipping, Manufacturing, and Agriculture ⁹

Social Issues that Affect Health in Greece

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-13 01:20:14 UTC

Economic Instability
Access to Healthcare
Aging Population
Mental Health Stigma
Lifestyle Related Disease²³
Migration and Refugee Health ²⁴

Social Issues that Affect Health in the United States

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-13 01:30:32 UTC

Income Inequality and Poverty
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Mental Health and Substance Use
Housing Instability and Homelessness
Food Insecurity²²

Healthcare Insurance in the United States

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-13 02:45:20 UTC

The United States' healthcare is financed through public and private funds. About 8% of people, or 26 million people are uninsured in the United States. ⁴

Public funds are collected at the local, state, and federal level. Examples of these types of insurances are Medicare and Medicaid. About 65.4% of Americans are covered by public insurance. ¹¹
Private healthcare in the United States is a coverage plan provided through an employer, or purchased directly through an individual. About 36.3% of Americans are covered by private insurance.²⁸

Healthcare Insurance in Greece

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-13 02:50:04 UTC

Greece uses a mix of public and private healthcare insurance providers for its residents. About 14% of the Greek population are uninsured.

Public Insurance: Residents in Greece can access free or low-cost public healthcare if they contribute to the Social Insurance Institute (IKA). About 64% of Greeks use public insurance.
Greece has a large private healthcare sector, including independent doctors, those contracted with insurance funds, and staff at private hospitals, labs, and diagnostic centers. Private facilities usually offer better equipment, modern care, and English-speaking staff, and are less impacted by economic challenges. These private facilities aren't covered by IKA and are expensive. About 16% of Greeks use private insurance. ¹⁰

Benefits of the Health Care System in the US

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-13 03:23:41 UTC

· Hospitals in American have modern and up to date equipment.

· Physicians have to go through rigorous training.

· Because of the high cost of medical care, hospitals can afford equipment for people battling life-threatening diseases.

· Different medical options (Medicare and Medicaid)

· Easy ways to get an ambulance and the help you need. ³

Limitations of the Health Care System (United States)

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-13 03:30:55 UTC

· Health Care in America is expensive

· If you don’t have insurance, you have to pay out of pocket

· If you lose your job, you most likely will lose health insurance if your employer supplied it.

· Lack of transparency

· No prevention care or quality follow up services ³

Quality of Healthcare System in United States

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-13 03:41:19 UTC

· America is the top performers for care delivery.

· Successful provision of preventable services like the flu vaccination.

· U.S has strong concern for human safety.

· Strong insurance Rules.

· Americas live the shortest lives and have avoidable deaths. ²

Technology in America

dakotarose825 — 2025-04-13 15:12:41 UTC

· Geospatial technology provides in-depth information on disease penetration, health risk by age, and care delivery logistics.

· X is used to monitor the spread of infectious diseases

· Fitness bands allow individuals to tract their health and movement during the day

· 3D printing allows medical professional to model trouble spots in patients or creates functioning artificial body parts.

· Telehealth allows people who are too ill to go speak to their practitioners over the phone, which is very beneficial. ¹

Reference (Part 2)

spookygianna8 — 2025-04-14 02:22:29 UTC

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O’Connell-Domenech, Alejandra. “The US Is Suffering a Healthcare Worker Shortage. Experts Fear It Will Only Get Worse.” The Hill, 28 Sept. 2023, thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/4225960-the-us-is-suffering-a-healthcare-worker-shortage-experts-fear-it-will-only-get-worse/#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20of%20Labor%20Statistics%20projects%20that,aides%20will%20increase%2037%20percent%20by%202028.
O’Neill, Aaron. “Greece - Life Expectancy at Birth by Gender 2012-2022 | Statista.” Statista, 2022, www.statista.com/statistics/970705/life-expectancy-at-birth-in-greece-by-gender/.
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“The Pros and Cons of the US Health-Care Model (the Direct-Fee System).” Edited by The Clinton Courier, The Clinton Courier, 9 Oct. 2024, www.theclintoncourier.net/2020/09/14/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-us-health-care-model-the-direct-fee-system/.
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Tzortzi, Anna, et al. “Perceived Importance of Public Health Risks in Greece: A Nationwide Survey of the Adult Population.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4 Aug. 2021, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8393876/#:~:text=Several%20public%20health%20threats%20are,in%20mortality%20due%20to%20lung%2C.
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