Overview
Write a post of 250 words and respond to two people in 100 words each. This can be done in word and all 3 must be separate.
Write a post of 250 words of the following: In the following video ( https://youtu.be/C1bIjISMlTo?si=79a0oWomp_p_cMLB ) the World Health Organization talks about the initiative of Universal Healthcare Coverage. As you have learned, this comes in many different shapes and forms. Different countries have different ways of going about this initiative. It is difficult to compare countries healthcare systems. Talk about what surprised you the most and what you foresee being challenging in this initiative not just in this country, but in others.
Respond to the following 2 people (Cynthia & Matthew) with 100 words :
CYNTHIA: The surprising part of the lesson this week was the financial strain on American citizens from healthcare premiums and the costs they incur for healthcare. It was astonishing to hear that many spend approximately 10% of their budget on coverage. One’s healthcare is essential, but it has become more of a money-making issue for service providers, and the health of the United States is declining rapidly due to the costs. Working in the healthcare system and seeing this firsthand isn't easy. Many citizens must decide whether they can afford the care they need. This is why there have been increased visits to emergency departments and urgent care clinics, but follow-up care is not typically provided (Rudiger, 2023).
Universal healthcare would be a great addition to the United States, as it would offer the same services to all citizens, increase access to healthcare for people experiencing poverty, and reduce financial strain. The care provided may not meet the expectations of those who use it, but it would reduce the burden on the population unable to secure healthcare. This could create a healthier population overall, as those who cannot afford healthcare would benefit.
There would be challenges affecting this transition. These challenges would include determining the actual platform for diseases and treatments. Consistency would be difficult across the nation's continuum. It would require the Nation to work together in determining the care provided if it is to be Universal throughout. Another challenge would be the initial funding necessary to transition. Many countries are not financially or technologically equipped to support this endeavor (Darrudi et al, 2022). Universal Health Care would benefit many citizens worldwide, but several recognized challenges create barriers to its implementation.
References
Darrudi, A., Ketabchi Khoonsari, M. H., & Tajvar, M. (2022). Challenges to achieving universal health coverage throughout the world: A Systematic Review. Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi, 55(2), 125–133. https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.21.542
Rudiger A. (2023). The equity effect of universal health care. Health and human rights, 25(2), 171–176.
MATTHEW: The WHO video on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aligns perfectly with the themes we’ve been exploring in HCAD 651, particularly the complexity of global health systems and the challenges of creating equitable, financially sustainable care (World Health Organization (WHO, 2017). One of the things that surprised me most this week was how strongly the WHO emphasized that UHC is not about one specific model, but rather about a goal: ensuring everyone can access the necessary services without financial hardship. This aligns directly with our discussions about how different countries structure their systems based on political philosophy, available resources, and cultural norms.
What also stood out is how difficult it is to compare healthcare systems across countries. Even when two nations claim to have universal coverage, what that looks like in practice can be completely different. This reflects our course theme that healthcare cannot be evaluated through a single lens and must consider financing structures, delivery models, quality measures, and the broader social environment.
Looking ahead, several challenges seem likely not just for the U.S. but globally. One major barrier is sustainable financing, a topic we’ve returned to repeatedly in this course. As the video highlights, rising healthcare costs, chronic disease burdens, and aging populations put pressure on even the strongest systems. Another challenge is ensuring equitable access, a central HCAD theme. Rural areas, marginalized groups, and low-income populations often remain underserved even when a country claims universal coverage.
The WHO also emphasized strengthening primary care and system capacity, reinforcing another theme from our coursework: coverage means little without infrastructure, workforce, and quality measures to support it.
Overall, this week made it clear that UHC is less about choosing the “right system” and more about building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable one. This perspective strongly reflects the systems-thinking framework we’ve been developing throughout HCAD 651.
V/r,
Matthew E. Noxon
World Health Organization (WHO. (2017). WHO: Universal health coverage - the best investment for a safer, fairer and healthier world. In YouTube.