Americans Don't Rate U.S. Health Care As World's Best
Posted on: Wednesday, 2 February 2005, 18:00 CST
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new survey released today, the majority (60%) of Americans believe the United States does not have the best health care system in the world, and 64% say most Americans do not get the health care they need. Yet, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the United States spends more on health care per capita -- $5,700 -- than any other nation.
"We're paying the most but not getting the most for our money," said Mary Woolley, Research!America president. "Our investment in research has made understanding how to achieve and maintain health for our citizenry an achievable goal in the United States, yet putting current knowledge to work systematically and for all continues to elude us."
The majority surveyed (70%) said it is important for the United States to invest in more research to assure a solid scientific base for health care and its delivery, and an overwhelming 95% said health care should be based on the most recent research available. "Our poll shows that Americans endorse what experts term 'evidence-based medicine.' Unhappily, we have neither adequate evidence nor the will -- yet -- to deliver it," said Woolley.
Currently, less than 1 cent of each health dollar spent in the United States is spent on health services research -- research that helps translate discoveries into the best medical practice. When asked how much of each health dollar should be spent on health services research, more than half (56%) said a ["somewhat" or "much"] higher portion of the health dollar should be spent on health services research.
The poll also examined Americans' attitudes toward the effectiveness of today's health care. Fifty-eight percent revealed that they or someone they know have experienced a medical error when receiving treatment, and the same percentage said they or a family member had received the wrong treatment at some point during care.
"The return on our national investment in medical and health research simply won't benefit all our citizenry without serious investment in research on the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of our health services," said The Honorable Paul G. Rogers, Research!America chair.
The concerns expressed in these poll findings occur at a time when America's health and research enterprises face unprecedented budget constraints and challenges. Yet, Americans overall recognize the critical importance of sustained investment in health-related research. The majority of Americans (58%) say that even as our nation looks for ways to manage health care costs, the national commitment to health-related research should be higher.
"Continued protection of our nation's health and economy through increased investment in health services research is common sense that will benefit every citizen," said The Honorable John Edward Porter, Research!America chair-elect.
Charlton Research Company conducted a national omnibus telephone survey among 800 adults. A demographically proportionate sample was obtained using Random Digit Dialing. The survey was fielded January 8-11, 2005 and has a theoretical sampling error of +/-3.5%.
Research!America is a not-for-profit, membership-supported public education and advocacy alliance founded in 1989. Its nearly 500 member institutions, organizations and corporations represent the voices of more than 100 million Americans who want medical and health research -- including research to prevent disease, disability and injury and to promote health -- to be a much higher national priority. Research!America's public opinion surveys and advocacy-based programs and publications are designed to reach the public and decision makers with messages that support a strong and vibrant research enterprise.
Research!America
CONTACT: Anne Kosmoski, +1-202-775-0200, for Research!America; or SharonBerry of Research!America, +1-703-739-2577, ext. 12
Source: PRNewswire
Related Articles
- Larry King to Host 10th Annual American Friends of Rabin Medical Center 'Broadway on the Hudson' Gala
- Quintiles Names Kelly McKee Executive Director of Operations for Public Health and Government Services Unit
- State of Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Services Selects U.S. Care Management for High-Risk Obstetrics Health Management Program
- Private Health Care Referral Service Now Available in Quebec
- Oral Health America Gala Raises Funds for Public School-Based Dental Services
- Clinical One is Awarded Company-Wide JCAHO Health Care Staffing Services Certification
- Board of Trustees of the FELRA & UFCW Health and Welfare Fund Selects Health Dialog to Provide Care Management Services
- Keystone Mercy Health Plan Selects ParadigmHealth for Neonatal Intensive Care Management Services
- Rockwell Medical Technologies, Inc. Signs Concentrate Supply Agreement With Fletcher Allen Health Care Renal Services
- Joint Commission Awards Health Care Staffing Services Certification to Medical Staffing Network
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds