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Health at a Glance 2009

OECD Indicators

image of Health at a Glance 2009
This fifth edition of Health at a Glance provides the latest comparable data on different aspects of the performance of health systems in OECD countries. It provides striking evidence of large variations across countries in the costs, activities and results of health systems. Key indicators provide information on health status, the determinants of health, health care activities and health expenditure and financing in OECD countries.

This edition also contains new chapters on the health workforce and on access to care, an important policy objective in all OECD countries. The chapter on quality of care has been extended to include a set of indicators on the quality of care for chronic conditions.

Each indicator in the book is presented in a user-friendly format, consisting of charts illustrating variations across countries and over time, brief descriptive analyses highlighting the major findings conveyed by the data, and a methodological box on the definition of the indicator and any limitations in data comparability. An annex provides additional information on the demographic and economic context within which health systems operate, as well as a concise description of key characteristics in health system financing and delivery of services in OECD countries.

English Also available in: French, German, Korean

Introduction

This chapter presents an overview of the main indicators and characteristics of health spending and financing across OECD countries. The discussion starts with a comparison of overall health spending in terms of per capita expenditure and in relation to other macroeconomic variables, such as GDP. Current levels of spending as well as trends over recent years are presented, taking into account the likely impact of the economic slowdown on future health spending. As well as indicators of total spending, the chapter also provides an analysis of the different types of health services and goods consumed across OECD countries, with a separate focus on pharmaceuticals as one of the main drivers of health spending growth over recent years.

English Also available in: French, German

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