Use this document to complete the Module 6 Assessment Global Healthcare Comparison Matrix and Narrative Statement
| Global Healthcare Issue | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that attacks the body’s immune system rendering it incapable of fighting against other disease-causing pathogens. It is estimated that almost 38 million people globally have HIV, with a majority of them being in developing countries (Mahy et al., 2021). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States (U.S.) | Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue | One of the policies that address HIV in the U.S is referred to as Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) which was proposed by former President Donald Trump. The policy aims to infuse and coordinate additional resources, technology, and expertise through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) agencies to implement tailored plans to combat the disease (Beyrer et al., 2021). | Spain, after the recommendations of the European Union, implemented the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis strategy, through which they created the Information System for PrEP programs in Spain (SIPrEP). This program is aimed to reduce the number of new HIV cases in Spain by collecting information and using it as a source of evidence to implement targeted efforts towards combating HIV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What are the strengths of this policy? | There are various strengths attached to this policy, the first being the infusion of additional resources towards preventive efforts. Another strength of the policy is having coordinated efforts through the agencies within DHHS. This enables better efficiency and targeted efforts towards combating the disease (Beyrer et al., 2021) | The policy’s strength lies in the coordinated efforts from different government agencies, including regional government and other non-governmental agencies as sources of information that will facilitate targeted efforts toward combating the disease (HIV Outcomes, n.d.). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What are the weaknesses of this policy? | One of the weaknesses of this policy is that funding of the program is subject to congressional approval at a time when the COVID-19 Pandemic has taken center stage. This means that the program is likely to have unmet budgetary allocations which could hinder the success of its implementation. | Similar to the case of the U.S, the current COVID-19 pandemic has impeded full implementation of the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples | There are several social determinants of health associated with HIV, some of which include economic status and level of education, where those from low-income families are disproportionately affected by the disease. Persons living in rural communities are also more likely to be infected by the disease compared to those living in urban areas (Breskin et al., 2017). | Low health literacy, marital status, unemployment, and migratory habits are some of the social determinants of HIV in Spain. The listed social determinants affect the usage of preventive options. The social determinants also contribute to various risk activities associated with HIV, for example engaging in unprotected premarital sex. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How has each country’s government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue? | The U.S has been steadfast in addressing HIV by improving access to preventive care against HIV, especially among vulnerable population groups. The new EHE policy aims to boost those efforts even further. | Like the U.S Spain has also invested most of its finances in improving preventive strategies against HIV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How has the identified health policy impacted the health of the global population? (Be specific and provide examples) | The implementation of EHE sets precedence through which other countries can adopt towards targeted efforts in fighting against HIV. Given how long the disease has prevailed, and the fact that there is still no vaccine yet, having alternative workable strategies to combat the infection will help the global population. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Healthcare Issue | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that attacks the body’s immune system rendering it incapable of fighting against other disease-causing pathogens. It is estimated that almost 38 million people globally have HIV, with a majority of them being in developing countries (Mahy et al., 2021). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States (U.S.) | Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue | One of the policies that address HIV in the U.S is referred to as Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) which was proposed by former President Donald Trump. The policy aims to infuse and coordinate additional resources, technology, and expertise through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) agencies to implement tailored plans to combat the disease (Beyrer et al., 2021). | Spain, after the recommendations of the European Union, implemented the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis strategy, through which they created the Information System for PrEP programs in Spain (SIPrEP). This program is aimed to reduce the number of new HIV cases in Spain by collecting information and using it as a source of evidence to implement targeted efforts towards combating HIV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What are the strengths of this policy? | There are various strengths attached to this policy, the first being the infusion of additional resources towards preventive efforts. Another strength of the policy is having coordinated efforts through the agencies within DHHS. This enables better efficiency and targeted efforts towards combating the disease (Beyrer et al., 2021) | The policy’s strength lies in the coordinated efforts from different government agencies, including regional government and other non-governmental agencies as sources of information that will facilitate targeted efforts toward combating the disease (HIV Outcomes, n.d.). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What are the weaknesses of this policy? | One of the weaknesses of this policy is that funding of the program is subject to congressional approval at a time when the COVID-19 Pandemic has taken center stage. This means that the program is likely to have unmet budgetary allocations which could hinder the success of its implementation. | Similar to the case of the U.S, the current COVID-19 pandemic has impeded full implementation of the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples | There are several social determinants of health associated with HIV, some of which include economic status and level of education, where those from low-income families are disproportionately affected by the disease. Persons living in rural communities are also more likely to be infected by the disease compared to those living in urban areas (Breskin et al., 2017). | Low health literacy, marital status, unemployment, and migratory habits are some of the social determinants of HIV in Spain. The listed social determinants affect the usage of preventive options. The social determinants also contribute to various risk activities associated with HIV, for example engaging in unprotected premarital sex. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How has each country’s government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue? | The U.S has been steadfast in addressing HIV by improving access to preventive care against HIV, especially among vulnerable population groups. The new EHE policy aims to boost those efforts even further. | Like the U.S Spain has also invested most of its finances in improving preventive strategies against HIV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How has the identified health policy impacted the health of the global population? (Be specific and provide examples) | The implementation of EHE sets precedence through which other countries can adopt towards targeted efforts in fighting against HIV. Given how long the disease has prevailed, and the fact that there is still no vaccine yet, having alternative workable strategies to combat the infection will help the global population. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Healthcare Issue | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that attacks the body’s immune system rendering it incapable of fighting against other disease-causing pathogens. It is estimated that almost 38 million people globally have HIV, with a majority of them being in developing countries (Mahy et al., 2021). | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States (U.S.) | Spain | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue | One of the policies that address HIV in the U.S is referred to as Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) which was proposed by former President Donald Trump. The policy aims to infuse and coordinate additional resources, technology, and expertise through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) agencies to implement tailored plans to combat the disease (Beyrer et al., 2021). | Spain, after the recommendations of the European Union, implemented the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis strategy, through which they created the Information System for PrEP programs in Spain (SIPrEP). This program is aimed to reduce the number of new HIV cases in Spain by collecting information and using it as a source of evidence to implement targeted efforts towards combating HIV. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| What are the strengths of this policy? | There are various strengths attached to this policy, the first being the infusion of additional resources towards preventive efforts. Another strength of the policy is having coordinated efforts through the agencies within DHHS. This enables better efficiency and targeted efforts towards combating the disease (Beyrer et al., 2021) | The policy’s strength lies in the coordinated efforts from different government agencies, including regional government and other non-governmental agencies as sources of information that will facilitate targeted efforts toward combating the disease (HIV Outcomes, n.d.). | ||||||||||||||||||||
| What are the weaknesses of this policy? | One of the weaknesses of this policy is that funding of the program is subject to congressional approval at a time when the COVID-19 Pandemic has taken center stage. This means that the program is likely to have unmet budgetary allocations which could hinder the success of its implementation. | Similar to the case of the U.S, the current COVID-19 pandemic has impeded full implementation of the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples | There are several social determinants of health associated with HIV, some of which include economic status and level of education, where those from low-income families are disproportionately affected by the disease. Persons living in rural communities are also more likely to be infected by the disease compared to those living in urban areas (Breskin et al., 2017). | Low health literacy, marital status, unemployment, and migratory habits are some of the social determinants of HIV in Spain. The listed social determinants affect the usage of preventive options. The social determinants also contribute to various risk activities associated with HIV, for example engaging in unprotected premarital sex. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| How has each country’s government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue? | The U.S has been steadfast in addressing HIV by improving access to preventive care against HIV, especially among vulnerable population groups. The new EHE policy aims to boost those efforts even further. | Like the U.S Spain has also invested most of its finances in improving preventive strategies against HIV. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| How has the identified health policy impacted the health of the global population? (Be specific and provide examples) | The implementation of EHE sets precedence through which other countries can adopt towards targeted efforts in fighting against HIV. Given how long the disease has prevailed, and the fact that there is still no vaccine yet, having alternative workable strategies to combat the infection will help the global population. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Global Healthcare Issue | Advancing health for all | |
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Description |
A system is as good as its weakest link. The recent COVID-19 pandemic provided clear lessons on the need to advance healthcare access, making it accessible to all. Most countries are facing disparities in healthcare coverage and provision. These disparities emerge from the healthcare financing structure, availability of healthcare workers, social determinants of health such as poverty and education, and other systemic issues (Cash-Gibson et al., 2018). Advancing healthcare to all requires both policy and systemic transformations to meet national and global health goals on equity. |
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Country |
United States | Australia. |
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Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue. |
There are several health policies that try to address the issue of health equity and advancing health for all. However, the most prominent policy is the Affordable Care Act of 2010, which expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage to capture more people from low-income and other vulnerable populations, including the elderly (McIntyre & Song, 2019) |
Australia has a Medicare program that provides free or low-cost healthcare services to all Australians who use the public healthcare system. For those who use private healthcare, the Medicare package caters for some of the expenses. The program’s financing was streamlined through the National Health Reform Agreement of 2011 (Dixit & Sambasivan, 2018). |
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What are the strengths of this policy? |
Some of the strengths attached to the ACA include lower prescription costs and increased coverage for Americans, especially those from low-income households (McIntyre & Song, 2019). The ACA also removed the prohibitions that were initially present for people with preexisting health conditions. These efforts, in turn, made health accessible for a significant section of the population. |
The strength of the Australian Medicare policy, more so through the National Health Reform Agreement of 2011, is that it does not have restrictions on access to any Australian or some overseas visitors. The Medicare system provides comprehensive coverage for a wide range of healthcare services at low cost or in some circumstances no cost at all. The policy also gives priority to prevention interventions to reduce long-term healthcare costs (Dixit & Sambasivan, 2018) |
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What are the weaknesses of this policy?
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The ACA has its fair share of challenges, one of them being dissatisfaction related to the low impact of the policy for those who do not qualify for the ACA subsidies. Another weakness is complications related to shopping for coverage. In such a hybrid system, implementing the ACA has led to a loss in company-sponsored plans (McIntyre & Song, 2019). |
Like the ACA, the National Health Reform Agreement also brings with it a significant increase in healthcare costs, overdiagnosis, and overtreatment, which the Australian government is trying to address through other policies (Dixit & Sambasivan, 2018) |
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Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples) |
Social determinants such as poverty affect the ability to afford healthcare services, thus impairing efforts to advance health to all, especially in systems that are not fully financed by the government like the US system. |
Education level and cultural practices are among the major hindrances in advancing h Our AdvantagesQuality Work Unlimited Revisions Affordable Pricing 24/7 Support Fast Delivery Custom Written Papers at a bargain |