Introduction
European countries enjoy among the best health statuses and highest life expectancies in the world (Commission of the European Communities, 2007). However, health inequities exist within the continent (Equity Channel, 2013). Moreover, some countries have varied health outcomes, although they belong to the same political and economic unions. Such is the case of Bulgaria and Sweden because although they belong to the EU, they have varied health outcomes. This paper investigates health disparities between both countries and identifies important lessons that America could learn in reducing its health disparities as well.
Country Comparison
Although Bulgaria and Sweden are part of the EU, they have varied health indicators. For example, Bulgarian women have a life expectancy of 77.8 years, while Swedish women have a life expectancy of 83.7 years (CIA, 2014). Similarly, Swedish men have a life expectancy of 79.8 years, while Bulgarian men have a life expectancy of 70.8 years. In an unrelated metric, the infant mortality rate in Bulgaria is 15.08, while Sweden has an infant mortality rate of 2.06 (CIA, 2014). Compared to America, Sweden has better health outcomes because its men have a life expectancy of 76 years, while women have a life expectancy of 81 years (CIA, 2014). However, Bulgaria trails America in this regard.
How to Reduce Health Inequities in Bulgaria and Sweden
Health inequities stem from unfair resource distribution and discriminatory policies in the health care sector (Gele & Harsløf, 2010). These problems account for the health inequities between Bulgaria and Sweden. Reducing this gap requires a policy shift in Bulgaria, which would make health care services affordable to all people (European Commission, 2014). Reforming Bulgaria’s tax payment and introducing welfare reform programs for poor people would similarly improve resource distribution and make health care affordable for all (European Commission, 2006). These measures would reduce health inequities between Sweden and Bulgaria.
Lessons that America could learn from the EU as it aims to Reduce Health Inequities
The Swedish government controls Sweden’s health care sector. Although many policy experts fear that bureaucracy could impede service delivery in health care service provision, the Swedish health care system proves otherwise (Wellesley Institute, 2011). America could learn from this fact because fears of “excessive” government involvement in health care service providers have prevented the country from overhauling its health care system (Frank, 2013).
America could also learn the benefits of adopting upstream health interventions to improve its health outcomes. For example, many people in Sweden use bicycles as their primary mode of transport. This practice reduces their predisposition to negative health outcomes, such as obesity (which is higher in America, compared to Sweden) (Frank, 2013). If America adopts such lifestyle changes, it could also improve its health outcomes.
How American Communities Could Adapt these Interventions
American communities could adopt better health practices by introducing community-based interventions at the state and community levels. For example, encouraging people to use bicycles, as a primary means of transport, requires a cultural and lifestyle shift in the country. This should happen by sensitizing people about the benefits associated with this lifestyle change and the health and environmental problems associated with motorized transport (Stegeman, Costongs, Needle, & Determine Consortium, 2010). Policy changes are easier to implement because they are enforceable by law. Therefore, health facilities could easily adopt them.
Conclusion
Health inequities are prevalent in many parts of the world. They impede the realization of positive health outcomes. Through a comparison of Bulgaria and Sweden, this paper shows that most countries could still have significant health disparities, despite their economic association (EU). America could learn from the two countries by appreciating the need for public sector involvement in health care service provision (as Sweden does). Secondly, it could also learn the need to adopt upstream health interventions to improve its health outcomes.
References
CIA. (2014). Country Comparison: Infant Mortality Rate. Web.
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Equity Channel. (2013). Final Report of a Consortium on Social determinants and health inequalities. Web.
European Commission. (2006). Tackling health inequalities in the EU: The contributions of Various EU-level actors. Web.
European Commission. (2014). European Commission: Public health. Web.
Frank, R. (2013). What Sweden Can Tell Us About Obamacare.
Gele, A. A., & Harsløf, I. (2010). Types of social capital resources and self-rated health among the Norwegian adult population. International Journal for Equity in Health, 9, 8–16.
Stegeman, I., Costongs, C., Needle C., & Determine Consortium. (2010). The story of DETERMINE: Mobilising action for health equity in the EU—Final report of the DETERMINE consortium. Brussels, BE: EuroHealthNet.
Wellesley Institute. (2011). The European portal for action on health equity.