Providing an effective health care system for the people has always been a priority for the United States government. Growth and prosperity of the country is closely linked with the availability of properly working healthcare programs. The healthcare disparities existing in the South American country of Mexico can be used to demonstrate comparison and contrast with the real situation in the United States healthcare system.
The Mexican government has developed social protection programs that are meant to comply with the demands of global crisis as observed in 1994 and 2008. Similarly, the United States government through the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention has initiated round the clock programs that ensure that lives are saved, health is promoted and treatment costs remain affordable (United States, 2013).
The majority of the diseases that many Mexicans suffer from are water-borne diseases. These diseases either result from the unavailability of clean and safe drinking water or stagnant water around residential areas. Health programs in the country are pegged towards curbing malaria, typhoid, and hepatitis. In the United States, the CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report of 2013, it was revealed that the real diseases facing the American population was cardiovascular disease, adult diabetes, infant mortality rate among non-Hispanic blacks and high suicide rates among men as compared to the women (United States, 2013).
Access to proper treatment in Mexico is greatly constrained by income (Malik & UNDP, 2013). In a country where the gap between the rich and the poor remains relatively high, many people cannot afford good healthcare. Majority of the population live below the poverty line. These groups of people seek treatment in public hospitals that are often understaffed and congested (Kemp, 2005). Most of these hospitals do not have the requisite facilities to cater for the needs of their patients. On the other hand, the United States boosts of having a strong, large and vibrant middle class that hold the economy (Long, 1998). Since majority of the United States citizens fall within the middle class, it means that income inequalities are relatively low compared to Mexico. Consequently, the health policy adopted for this kind of population must reflect the need to increase access to post-basic health care.
Mexicans are poor communicators when it comes to their health (Kemp, 2005). They are not aggressive and assertive regarding the state of their health. They wait for their condition to worsen before they can visit health facilities for treatment. This has contributed to the poor health status of many people. In the United States, people are extremely sensitive about their health. A slight discomfort in the body is enough to warrant a visit to the doctor. The United States government advocates for a preventive rather than curative approach to healthcare (CDC, 2013). This has helped in the early diagnosis of diseases or infections before they become more difficult to treat.
The health disparities in Mexico are greatly contributed to by the wide educational inequality between boys and girls especially at the university level (Kemp, 2005). There exists a very close relationship between educational attainment and quality of health attained. Educated people tend to be more cautious and sensitive about their wealth than the uneducated people. In spite of being more assertive about the biological and reproductive role that they play, Mexican women lag behind in matters concerning their health and that of their families. In America, healthcare experts have drafted policies that recognize that ensuring the health of women is the key to developing healthy households (United States, 2011).
In summary, the social and economic differences that exist between Mexico and the United States are enough to justify different health projects. The healthcare project developed for Mexico was specific to the needs of the Mexican people. Health experts need to draft policies that would work in the American context. However, the success of any project depends on the how well all stakeholders are incorporated. This will require that the needs of all members of the country are put into consideration.
References
CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report — United States, 2013. (2013). Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 62(3). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6203.pdf
Kemp, C. (2005). Mexican & Mexican-Americans: Health Beliefs & Practices Culture. Baylor University. Retrieved on 26th January 2014 from <https://bearspace.baylor.edu/Charles_Kemp/www/hispanic_health.htm>
Long, M. J. (1998). Health and healthcare in the United States. Chicago, Ill: Health Administration Press.
Malik, K., & United Nations Development Programme, (2013). Human development report 2013: The rise of the South: human progress in a diverse world.
United States (2011). Learning from the states: Individual state experiences with the healthcare reform coverage initiatives in the context of national reform (roundtable discussion) : hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session April 28, 2009. Washington: U.S. G.P.O.
