Saturday, May 02, 2009

Chart of the Day

Further following up on Sunday's post, this chart compares healthcare spending in nine OECD nations, measured at purchasing power parity, over time:


source: NOfP chart from OECD Health Data 2008

4 comments:

Thai said...

The colors are hard to read. Which is Japan, which is the US?

@nooil4pacifists said...

US is at the top; Japan is third from the bottom.

Thai said...

Since I am absolutely positive you realize this chart continues to make the exact point I have been making all along, do I get a clue as to where you are going with all this?

I must say I am enjoying the suspense. For at least so far, all I can tell is you are leading me down the path I led you.

And Carl, one other point to remember that you probably already know, medicine is still always local.

There will always be unique differences in the way each country spends its money (exemplified by the Japanese love of MRI technology, even when they otherwise spend so much less than America).

PS- By the way, did you figure out why the Japanese spend so much less that us and still get all those MRI? (and they get a lot more than us on MRI in some other categories as well that I wont get into).

You mentioned we have the best cancer treatment stats on the planet (I absolutely concur). You also are starting to recognize as I that we are spending more than everyone else in health care and as I am sure you are aware, cancer treatment is one of our big ticket items.

For you also seem to be into legal issues, and as such, have you thought about how a nation's laws AND attitudes around information disclosure and patient autonomy might effect health care spending on big ticket items?

Here is a hint if you have not.

(it is a rather pretty clear instance of how cultural differences play a huge role in how society's ration).

Cheers

OBloodyHell said...

> Since I am absolutely positive you realize this chart continues to make the exact point I have been making all along, do I get a clue as to where you are going with all this?

Thai, have you ever thought of responding around here with anything that wasn't a f***ing Zen koan?

Just curious.