The objective of this report is to conduct a critical and comparative analysis of UK, Ghana and Mexican health system with special emphasis on financial inequalities discerned. The World Health Report, 2000 recommends that the global health care system performances has to be assessed by the average health of the population as well as by how citizen’s health status and the financial burden of health care is evenly distributed among the population.
This dominant concern with equity is reflected in many modern directives on health, all in an attempt to present an equitable system without financial preference on a global scale. For individuals at the top of the socio-economic spectrum, the multiple mechanisms adopted by UK, Ghana and the Mexican health systems provide excellent care according to any standard. But for the citizens at the bottom of such social distributions, system delivers a little more than a vaccination.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Financial Mechanisms in the UK
Financial Mechanisms in Ghana
Financial Mechanisms in Mexico
Reducing Health Inequalities in Ghana: Recommendations
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This report conducts a critical and comparative analysis of the health care systems in the UK, Ghana, and Mexico, with a primary focus on the relationship between financial mechanisms and the promotion or reduction of health inequalities.
- Comparative analysis of health financing strategies across diverse economic landscapes.
- Evaluation of governmental policies aimed at mitigating social determinants of health.
- Examination of systemic barriers to equitable access, including taxation and social security structures.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of health initiatives in reaching marginalized populations.
- Identification of gaps in policy implementation and the impact of fragmented health systems.
Excerpt from the Book
Financial Mechanisms in the UK
Minimizing health inequalities has been placed along with health gain as a pivotal point of governmental policy. Leading organizations including the Department of Health, Standards and Planning Framework with National Improvement Plan place an emphasis on need for healthcare organizations to set up joint partnership along with other agencies to reduce the rise of health inequalities (Ledger, 2017). UK government policy was narrowly aimed to address a wider range of determinant factors of health including; lifestyle, employment, housing, income, crime and environment in conjunction with actions across governments, community, voluntary and business sectors (Marmot, 2011). Public Service Announcement targets were dominated by government departments with relations to health inequalities, including ODPM;
With a GDP of 0.3 percent increase in total expenditure on health as since 1980 till 2019 (Elflein, 2020), the UK’s approach to tackle health inequalities is divided in two:
i. The Black Report and
ii. the Acheson Report.
As a result of the fact that these two are different with reference to their impacts they are vital in the establishment of a relationship between evidence and policy (Marmot, 2011). In 1997 in the UK, the Labour party published a report referred to as the Black Report (1980) regarding health inequalities for which 4 four determinants of were identified:
i. Artefact
ii. Natural selection
iii. Cultural
iv. Structural
Despite the acclaimed comprehensiveness, it was observed that no mediation in healthcare was being conducted in order to reduce health inequalities (Ledger, 2017). The government in power rejected the report as a result of the high-costing proposals and opposition to the issue, as a result of which it had minimum impact on policy in over 10 years (Smith & Eltanani, 2015). Afterwards, the Acheson Report was designed to determine that scientific evidence supported socio-economic explanations of health inequality. (Marmot, 2011). As a result, the report collaborated environments including socio-economic factors and individual lifestyles.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the global context of health equity as recommended by the World Health Report 2000 and defines the objective of the study to compare health financing systems in the UK, Ghana, and Mexico.
Financial Mechanisms in the UK: Examines British government policies and major reports, such as the Black and Acheson Reports, regarding their effectiveness in addressing social determinants of health and reducing inequalities.
Financial Mechanisms in Ghana: Analyzes the Ghanaian health finance system, focusing on its reliance on tax revenues, donor-funded projects, and the impact of user fees on vulnerable populations.
Financial Mechanisms in Mexico: Discusses the fragmented nature of the Mexican health system, which operates through multiple, parallel subsystems for different demographic categories, often resulting in increased inequality.
Reducing Health Inequalities in Ghana: Recommendations: Proposes a transition toward a more centralized, national health care system in Ghana to alleviate the financial burden on the poor and move away from excessive reliance on private taxation.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the comparative findings regarding the health mechanisms in the three countries and emphasizes the need for sustainable, equity-focused financing strategies.
Keywords
Health Inequalities, Health Financing, Public Health Policy, Socio-economic Factors, Equity, Tax Revenue, Social Security, Healthcare Systems, Poverty, Resource Allocation, Comparative Analysis, Ghana, Mexico, United Kingdom, Health Access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this report?
The report aims to provide a critical and comparative analysis of the health care systems in the UK, Ghana, and Mexico, specifically evaluating how different financial mechanisms contribute to or hinder the reduction of health inequalities.
Which countries are compared in this study?
The study focuses on the United Kingdom, Ghana, and Mexico, analyzing their distinct approaches to health financing and social coverage.
What is the significance of the "Black Report" and "Acheson Report" in the UK context?
These reports were fundamental in shaping UK policy by identifying key determinants of health inequality—such as social, economic, and lifestyle factors—and attempting to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and government policy.
What scientific methods were used to inform this analysis?
The research relies on a comprehensive review of existing literature, governmental policy documents, and statistical health data to assess the performance and socio-economic impact of healthcare financing mechanisms.
How is the health system in Ghana primarily funded?
Ghana’s health system relies on a combination of tax revenues (direct and indirect), donor-funded projects, and significant out-of-pocket contributions from households, which the report identifies as a major barrier to equity.
What are the main issues identified within the Mexican healthcare system?
The system is described as fragmented, relying on parallel social security schemes for different employment sectors, which creates inefficiencies and limits universal access to care.
How does the report suggest improving health equity in Ghana?
It recommends moving toward a more centralized national health care system that integrates private and social insurance, thereby shifting the financial burden from poor households to more stable public revenue sources.
What role does "welfare-to-work" play in the UK's approach?
In the UK, "welfare-to-work" initiatives were implemented to connect benefit payments to employment, acting as a mechanism to address poverty, though they have faced criticism for not directly resolving inequality issues.
Why are the financial mechanisms in Ghana considered disadvantageous to the poor?
The report argues that the heavy reliance on taxation and out-of-pocket payments extracts significant portions of the limited income of the poorest citizens without guaranteeing comprehensive, high-quality care for all.
What does the term "financial destruction" mean in the context of the Mexican health system?
It refers to the risk that individuals and families face when they are forced to spend a significant portion of their assets or income on medical treatment, threatening their economic stability.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Abdullah Adigun (Autor:in), 2021, Health system and financial inequalities in the UK, Mexico and Ghana. An assessment of financing mechanisms for the promotion or reduction of health inequalities, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1145708
