Australia
Australia has a publicly funded healthcare system, which has been universally available to citizens since 1984. The cost of prescription drugs is either covered or subsidized through what is known as a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Healthcare service providers include both government and private organizations. In addition, private health insurance and services are available for those who can afford them – this is further encouraged by a surcharge imposed by the government on high earners who do not purchase private health insurance. This is done to ensure that the public system is not overburdened. However, private health insurance plans don’t cover all medical costs and individuals may end up paying out of pocket and costs may amount to more than the yearly fee for an insurance policy.
Healthcare Spending
In 2011, 9% of the Australian GDP was spent on healthcare. This amounted to $4,068 USD per individual. This figure is comparable to similar nations; for instance, in New Zealand approximately 10% of the national GDP goes to healthcare expenditures. The CIA World Factbook ranks Australia 46th in the world with respect to healthcare expenditures.
Availability of Care
Australia has a high physician-patient ratio, with 3.27 doctors per one thousand people. This figure is higher than that of neighboring New Zealand and is more than two times the average physician-patient ratio for the Western Pacific Region. While it is higher than industrialized nations such as the United States and Canada, this figure still falls below the average among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Australia also has a surplus of nurses and midwives in comparison to other countries; there are 10.66 nurses and midwives for every one thousand people. In Australia, there is approximately one hospital bed for every 250 people, a figure that is quite high in comparison to other high-income countries.
Life Expectancy & Mortality
Australia has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. A child born in 2014 can expect to live 82.07 years. If that child is a female, she can expect to live approximately 84.64 years. If that child is a male, he can expect to live approximately 79.63 years. Life expectancy in Australia is higher than that of many industrialized nations, including: New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany. In the case of Australia, as in the case of most developed nations, non-communicable diseases account for the vast majority of deaths, in this case 91%.
Other Issues
Improving the healthcare system is a constant priority for politicians in Australia. Policies in the sector have been criticized as slow and inefficient. In addition, the continuing need for healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and registered nurses, is a priority although Australia ranks high in this area when compared to similar countries. Campaigns to target preventable diseases, such as those related to cigarette smoking, have also been identified as an area of need. Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the country. Another area of concern is indigenous health, as Aboriginal Australians consistently score low on measures of health, with alarmingly high child mortality rates, lower life expectancies, and a higher likelihood to sustain an injury or die from accidents and violence.