North America

The Northern part of the Americas includes Canada and the United States. Because of its size and close relationship with the United States, Mexico is often grouped with its two northern neighbours, although it may also be considered part of Central America. Healthcare costs in North America vary significantly. For instance, the United States has one of the highest expenditures on healthcare in the world, with nearly 18% of the national GDP going to medical costs. Paradoxically, the quality of healthcare in the United States has been said to be on par with the quality of healthcare in Mexico, where national expenditures only amount to just over 6% of the GDP. Canada’s healthcare spending lies reasonably in the middle of Mexico and the United States at approximately 11%. These three nations face various issues related to availability and delivery of healthcare. All three nations face a shortage of trained physicians, while Mexico additionally faces a shortage of nurses and midwives. In the United States, a lack of affordable care for those without insurance means that some health problems go untreated. As a result, life expectancy in the United States is lower than in most industrialized nations. In Canada, healthcare is publicly funded, but access is restricted by long wait times for non-urgent medical issues. In Mexico, inequality is a primary concern. Although there is a universal healthcare system in place, millions of people live below the poverty line and don’t have the means or resources to access care.